The Meaningful Work Project .

The Meaningful Work Project | How can we make money and change the world? How can we create communities of practice that encourage creativity and innovation? The Meaningful Work Project offers an opportunity to share stories and collectively work toward solutions.

The man behind Greengate is Dan Balaban. Balaban grew up in the energy capital of Canada – Calgary – and he’s always been interested in alternative energy.

“It made sense to me,” Balaban says of alternative energy. “I thought it would be important for the future.”

This forward-thinking business savvy is earning the 36-year-old recognition, making the list as one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2009, named one of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People 2010 by Alberta Venture, and a finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010 Awards.

Indeed, Balaban is no stranger to success. He first foray into entrepreneurship was Roughneck.ca Inc., a leading provider of software solutions (such as the ability to track, manage and report greenhouse gas and other air emissions) to the Canadian oil and gas industry. He sold that company for more than $5 million in 2005 and soon after, set his sights on wind energy.

Balaban’s playing with bigger numbers these days – to build out the wind projects he’s developing requires a $4-billion investment. And that investment is going to give back, but the payback won’t just be lining Balaban’s pockets.

Take for example, the 150-megawatt Halkirk I Wind Project. Between 100 and 200 jobs will be created this year as construction begins on Alberta’s largest wind energy project