ESTABLISHING PATHWAYS TO ZERO-CARBON ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR REMOTE COMMUNITIES IN CANADA

Abstract

Remote community energy systems in Canada are undergoing supply and load technology-based interventions to support decarbonization efforts. Beyond reducing carbon emissions and decreasing system costs, many remote community decarbonization strategies are motivated to enhance energy autonomy, retain local wealth, and improve reliability. While significant work has been conducted on integrating renewable generation into existing infrastructure, the decarbonization of thermal loads has often been excluded. By not considering how renewable energy systems can support the decarbonization of both thermal and electrical loads, the benefits of these systems are limited in remote communities. This thesis evaluates zero-carbon electrification pathways for remote microgrid applications over a long-term planning horizon. The basis of these pathways is centralized battery systems combined with wind and solar electricity generation to support both electrical and thermal loads. The findings in this thesis present the techno-economic performance of each pathway and discuss how modelling strategies and challenges can better support the transition of microgrid energy systems to zero-carbon systems for remote communities in Canada.