Long-Term Renewable Energy Planning Model for Remote Communities

Abstract

This paper presents a novel long-term renewable energy (RE) planning model for remote communities (RCs), considering the characteristics of diesel-based RCs in Canada and other parts of the world such as Alaska and northern Chile. Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in assessing and deploying RE projects in northern remote locations. The model proposed in this paper adds to such efforts by creating a multiple-year community planning tool that can be used to determine economic and technically feasible RE solutions, considering the current operating structures, electricity pricing systems, subsidy frameworks, and project funding alternatives under which RE can be deployed in RCs. The proposed model is implemented in a case study for the Kasabonika Lake First Nation community in northern Ontario. The case study shows that RE projects can be feasible under current operating conditions, for a set of funding alternatives that share the economic risks.