The Energy Storage Technologies and Control project overviewed energy storage technologies that may be able to provide viable solutions for storing energy produced in the north by renewable resources.
Currently most northern Canadian communities use hydrocarbon-based systems to produce electricity, mostly in the form of diesel. Diesel is often flown into remote communities, is expensive, and has negative environmental and social impacts. Diesel generation, however, is a mature technology and provides reliable energy generation. Regardless, many northern communities are interested in the potential of implementing renewable energy resources to provide energy to their community members. Renewable resource technology can provide a higher penetration of electricity, and more reliability, if implemented alongside an energy storage system.
This study acts as a review and a comparison of energy storage technologies and forecasts how they may perform in a northern Canadian context.
Factors unique to the Canadian north, such as the small isolated electrical grids, the logistics of technology transportation and maintenance, and the climate have been taken into consideration when reviewing energy storage technologies. Developed energy storage technologies are briefly reviewed followed by an in-depth comparison between the technologies that may be suited to renewable energy implementation in the north.
By understanding the diversity of potential energy storage technologies that are appropriate for the north, renewable resource implementation can supply more of the energy demand, as well as provide increased electrical stability and reliability.
- Dr. Michael Ross, Program Lead, Industrial Research Chair for Colleges in Northern Energy Innovation, Yukon Research Centre, Yukon College
- Sara Thompson, Program Enhancement Officer, Northern Energy Innovation, Yukon Research Centre, Yukon College
- Spencer Ryan Deehr Sumanik, Project Lead, Northern Energy Innovation, Yukon Research Centre, Yukon College