Development of energy system solutions for Isolated-Grid (off-grid) communities and telecommunications.  

An off-grid community, as defined by Natural Resources Canada, is a community that is neither connected to the North American electrical grid nor to the piped natural gas network; it is permanent or long-term (5 years or more), and the settlements have at least 10 permanent buildings. There are approximately 175 Aboriginal and northern off-grid communities across Canada.  They face a number of environmental, social, and economic concerns that relate to energy in these off-grid communities.

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Canadian Off-Grid Communities

 

There are approximately 3,500 isolated off-grid community utilities worldwide ranging in size from under two hundred kilowatts per hour to multi-megawatt utility requirements.

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The Isolated-Grid Energy System is centered around the Vanadium Redox Battery "VRB" electricity storage technology, utilizing various electricity generation resources, separately or in combination, such as solar, diesel, flywheel and wind turbine technologies, to produce and store electricity. VEPP is developing cost reducing electrolyte  to provide attractive economics for deployment of Isolated-Grid Energy solutions capable of providing lower cost, high quality, continuous, uninterrupted electricity, from environmentally friendly generation sources, to these off-grid communities and telecommunication providers.

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Partners: TBA

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                    Case study:

                    Gildemeister Energy 

                    Vanadium Battery Company (Germany)

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                     OFF-GRID Renewable energy systems:

                     Status and methodological issues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From: Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

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Environmental Concerns

 

• Burning large amounts of diesel produces substantial greenhouse gas emissions.  This contributes to climate change which negatively affects communities.

• Fuel must be transported long distances by airplane, truck or barge, leading to a greater risk of fuel spills.

• The transportation of fuel by trucks on winter roads impacts the environment negatively through high greenhouse gas emissions from the vehicles.

• Fuel spills may take place while the fuel is being transported and stored, posing environmental risks.  Fuel tank leaks contaminate soil and groundwater.

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Social Concerns
 

• Generators can be noisy and disruptive, especially in quiet, remote communities.

• Emissions from diesel generators could contribute to health problems in community members.

• Black-outs can occur if diesel generators break down or are not properly maintained.  This can be dangerous in cold, remote locations.

Economic Concerns

• Cold, northern locations have a high demand for diesel and heating fuel which contributes to high energy expenditures.

• Diesel fuel must be flown in, shipped in, or driven in on winter roads which leads to high transportation costs, contributing to high energy expenditures.

• Diesel is a non-renewable resource; therefore the price of diesel fuel will likely continue to fluctuate, based on overall supply and demand.

• The high cost of energy and energy supply issues in off-grid communities can deter new businesses, limiting future economic opportunities in off-grid communities.

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List of Canadian Off Grid communities

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Quebec

Community NameElectrification Source

Akulivikdiesel generators

Algonquins of Barriere Lake (Rapid Lake)diesel generators

Atikamekw d'Opiticiwan (Obedjiwan)diesel generators

Aupalukdiesel generators

Communauté anicinape de Kitcisakik (Grand Lac Victoria)diesel generators

Inukjuakdiesel generators

Ivujivikdiesel generators

Kangiqsualujjuaqdiesel generators

Kangiqsujuaqdiesel generators

Kangirsukdiesel generators

Kuujjuaqdiesel generators

Kuujjuaraapikdiesel generators

Montagnais de Unamen Shipu (Romaine)diesel generators

Première nation de Whapmagoostuidiesel generators

Puvirnituqdiesel generators

Quaqtaqdiesel generators

Salluitdiesel generators

Tasiujaqdiesel generators

Umiujaqdiesel generators

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Ontario

Community NameElectrification Source

Bearskin Lakediesel generators

Deer Lakemini hydro with back-up generators

Eabametoong (Fort Hope)diesel generators

Fort Severndiesel generators

Gull Baydiesel generators

Kasabonika Lakewind with back-up generators

Kee-Way-Win (Niska)diesel generators

Kingfisherdiesel generators

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Big Trout Lake)diesel generators

Marten Fallsdiesel generators

Muskrat Dam Lakediesel generators

Neskantaga First Nation (Lansdowne House)diesel generators

Nibinamik (Summer Beaver)diesel generators

North Caribou Lake (Weagamow Lake)diesel generators

North Spirit Lakediesel generators

Pikangikumdiesel generators

Poplar Hilldiesel generators

Sachigo Lakediesel generators

Sandy Lakediesel generators

Wapekekadiesel generators

Wawakapewin (Long Dog Lake)diesel generators

Webequiediesel generators

Weenusk (Peawanuck)diesel generators

Whitesanddiesel generators

Wunnumindiesel generators

British Columbia

Community NameElectrification Source

Da'naxda'xw First Nation (Dead Point)diesel generators

Dease River (Good Hope Lake)diesel generators

Ehattesaht (Chenahkint)diesel generators

Gwawaenuk Tribe / Kwa–wa–aineuk (Hopetown)diesel generators

Haida Nation (Old Masset)diesel generators

Haida Nation (Skidegate)diesel generators

Hartley Bay (Kulkayu)diesel generators

Heiltsuk Nationdiesel generators

Hesquiaht (Refuge Cove)diesel generators

Iskut (Eddontenajon)diesel generators

Kitasoosmall hydro with back-up diesel generators

Kluskus (Sundayman's Meadow)diesel generators

Kwadacha (Fort Ware)diesel generators

Kwicksutaineuk-ah-kwaw-ah-mish (Gwayasdums)diesel generators

Liard First Nation (Lower Post / Liard River)diesel generators

Nuxalk Nationdiesel generators

Oweekeno / Wuikinuxv Nation (Katit)diesel generators

Tahltan First Nation (Telegraph Creek)diesel generators

Taku River Tlingit (Atlin)micro hydro with back-up diesel generators

Tlatlasikwala (Hope Island)diesel generators

Tsawataineuk (Quaee)diesel generators

Tsay Keh Dene (Finlay River)diesel generators

Uchucklesaht (Elhlateese)diesel generators

Ulkatcho First Nationdiesel generators

Xeni Gwet'in First Nation (Chilco Lake, Lezbye & Lohbiee)diesel generators

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British Columbia

Community NameElectrification Source

Da'naxda'xw First Nation (Dead Point)diesel generators

Dease River (Good Hope Lake)diesel generators

Ehattesaht (Chenahkint)diesel generators

Gwawaenuk Tribe / Kwa–wa–aineuk (Hopetown)diesel generators

Haida Nation (Old Masset)diesel generators

Haida Nation (Skidegate)diesel generators

Hartley Bay (Kulkayu)diesel generators

Heiltsuk Nationdiesel generators

Hesquiaht (Refuge Cove)diesel generators

Iskut (Eddontenajon)diesel generators

Kitasoosmall hydro with back-up diesel generators

Kluskus (Sundayman's Meadow)diesel generators

Kwadacha (Fort Ware)diesel generators

Kwicksutaineuk-ah-kwaw-ah-mish (Gwayasdums)diesel generators

Liard First Nation (Lower Post / Liard River)diesel generators

Nuxalk Nationdiesel generators

Oweekeno / Wuikinuxv Nation (Katit)diesel generators

Tahltan First Nation (Telegraph Creek)diesel generators

Taku River Tlingit (Atlin)micro hydro with back-up diesel generators

Tlatlasikwala (Hope Island)diesel generators

Tsawataineuk (Quaee)diesel generators

Tsay Keh Dene (Finlay River)diesel generators

Uchucklesaht (Elhlateese)diesel generators

Ulkatcho First Nationdiesel generators

Xeni Gwet'in First Nation (Chilco Lake, Lezbye & Lohbiee)diesel generators

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Newfoundland and Labrador

Community NameElectrification Source

Black Ticklediesel generators

Cartwrightdiesel generators

Charlottetowndiesel generators

Hopedalediesel generators

Makkovikdiesel generators

Mary's Harbourdiesel generators

Mud Lakediesel generators

Mushuau Innu First Nation (Natuashish)diesel generators

Naindiesel generators

Norman Baydiesel generators

Paradise Riverdiesel generators

Port Hope Simpsondiesel generators

Postvillediesel generators

Rigoletdiesel generators

St. Lewisdiesel generators

Williams Harbourdiesel generators

Manitoba

Community NameElectrification Source

Barren Lands (Brochet)diesel generators

Northlands (Lac Brochet)diesel generators

Sayisi Dene First Nation (Churchill)diesel generators

Shamattawa First Nationdiesel generators

Saskatchewan

Community NameElectrification Source

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (Kinoosao Thomas Clark)diesel generators

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Yukon

Community NameElectrification Source

Beaver Creekdiesel generators

Burwash Landingdiesel generators (tied to Destruction Bay)

CarcrossWhitehorse-Aishihik-Faro hydroelectric grid with diesel back-up

CarmacksWhitehorse-Aishihik-Faro hydroelectric grid with diesel back-up

ChampagneWhitehorse-Aishihik-Faro hydroelectric grid with diesel back-up

Dawson CityMayo hydro grid with diesel back-up

Destruction Baydiesel generators (tied to Burwash landing)

FaroWhitehorse-Aishihik-Faro hydroelectric grid with diesel back-up

Haines JunctionWhitehorse-Aishihik-Faro hydroelectric grid with diesel back-up

Johnson's CrossingWhitehorse-Aishihik-Faro hydroelectric grid with diesel back-up

KenoMayo hydro grid with diesel back-up

Marsh LakeWhitehorse-Aishihik-Faro hydroelectric grid with diesel back-up

MayoMayo hydro grid with diesel back-up

Old Crow Settlementdiesel generators

Pelly CrossingWhitehorse-Aishihik-Faro hydro grid with diesel back-up

Ross RiverWhitehorse-Aishihik-Faro hydroelectric grid with diesel back-up

Stewart CrossingMayo hydro grid with diesel back-up

TagishWhitehorse-Aishihik-Faro hydroelectric grid with diesel back-up

TeslinWhitehorse-Aishihik-Faro hydroelectric grid with diesel back-up

Watson Lakediesel generators

WhitehorseWhitehorse-Aishihik-Faro hydroelectric grid with diesel back-up

Northwest Territories

Community NameElectrification Source

Aklavikdiesel generators

Behchokö / Rae-Edzo (Dog Rib Rae)Snare hydro grid with diesel back-up

Colville Lake (Behdzi Ahda)diesel generators

Déline (Fort Franklin Settlement)diesel generators

DettahSnare hydro grid with diesel back-up

EnterpriseTaltson hydro grid with diesel back-up

Fort Good Hope (K'asho Got'ine)diesel generators

Fort Liard (Acho Dene Koe)diesel generators

Fort McPherson (Tetlit Gwich'in)diesel generators

Fort Providence (Deh Gah Gotie Dene Council)diesel generators

Fort Resolution (Deninu K'ue)Taltson hydro grid with diesel back-up

Fort Simpson (Liidlii Kue)diesel generators

Fort Smith (Salt River)Taltson hydro grid with diesel back-up

Gamèti (Rae Lakes)diesel generators

Hay River (West Point)Taltson hydro grid with diesel back-up

Hay River Reserve (K'atlodeeche)Taltson hydro grid with diesel back-up

Inuviknatural gas

Jean Marie Riverdiesel generators

Kakisa (Ka'a'gee Tu)diesel generators

Lutsel K'e Dene Band (Snowdrift Settlement)diesel generators

Nahanni Butte (Nahanni Butte Dene / Deh Cho)diesel generators

Norman Wellsnatural gas

Paulatukdiesel generators

Sachs Harbourdiesel generators

Trout Lake (Sambaa K'e Dene)diesel generators

Tsiigehtchic (Arctic Red River / Gwichya Gwich'in)diesel generators

Tuktoyaktukdiesel generators

Tulita (Tulita Dene / Fort Norman)diesel generators

Ulakhaktok (Holman)diesel generators

Wekweèti (Dechi Laot'l / Snare Lake)diesel generators

Whatì (Tlicho / Lac La Martre)diesel generators

Wrigley (Pehdzeh Ki)diesel generators

Yellowknife (City of Yellowknife and N'dilo)Snare hydro grid with diesel back-up

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Nunavut

Community NameElectrification Source

Arctic Bay (Ikpiarjuk)diesel generators

Arviatdiesel generators

Baker Lake (Qamanittuaq)diesel generators

Bathurst Inlet (Kingoak)diesel generators

Cambridge Bay (Ikaluktutiak)diesel generators

Cape Dorset (Kinngait)diesel generators

Chesterfield Inlet (Igluligaarjuk)diesel generators

Clyde River (Kangiqtugaapik)diesel generators

Coral Harbour (Sallit)diesel generators

Gjoa Haven (Uqsuqtuuq)diesel generators

Grise Fiord (Aujuittut)diesel generators

Hall Beach (Sanirajak)diesel generators

Igloolik (Iglulik)diesel generators

Iqaluitdiesel generators

Kimmirutdiesel generators

Kugaaruk (formerly Pelle Bay)diesel generators

Kugluktuk (Qurluqtuq)diesel generators

Pangnirtung (Pangniqtuuq)diesel generators

Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik)diesel generators

Qikiqtarjuaq (formerly Broughton Island)diesel generators

Rankin Inlet (Kangiqiniq)diesel generators

Repulse Bay (Naujaat)diesel generators

Resolute / Resolute Bay (Qausiuttuq)diesel generators

Sanikiluaqdiesel generators

Taloyoak (Talujuaq)diesel generators

Whale Cove (Tikirarjuaq)diesel generators

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