Energy for Rural and Island Communities

Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference Held at Inverness, Scotland, 16–19 September 1985

John Twidell, Ian Hounam, Chris Lewis

• Publisher: Pergamon
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN: 9780080334233
• eBook ISBN: 9781483149271
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Real Estate
• Index: Business

Scotland

TOPIC A

COMMUNITY ENERGY SYSTEMS AND EXPERIENCE

Outline

Chapter 1: An Energy Overview of Canada’s Remote Communities with Reference to the Remote Community Demonstration Program

Chapter 2: The Fotavoltaic Project — a 50 kWp Photovoltaic Array on Fota Island

Chapter 3: Energy and Village Development: the Basaisa Experience

Chapter 4: Renewable Energy at Bornholm — Self-sufficiency for an Island Community in Denmark

Chapter 5: Pay Attention to the Utilization of Renewable Energy in Chinese Islands

Chapter 6: Energy Resources, Supplies and Consumption: a Case Study of Some Rural and Remote Settlements in Nigeria

Chapter 7: Island Alternative Energy — Matching Resources and Needs in Tropical Vanuatu

Chapter 8: System Analysis of a Solar-and Windpower Plant for Nordic Remote Locations

An Energy Overview of Canada’s Remote Communities with Reference to the Remote Community Demonstration Program

D.E. Rodger, Remote Community Demonstration Program, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, Ottawa, Canada

ABSTRACT

This paper provides an energy orientation of Canada’s 374 communities which are not served by grid electricity or natural gas distribution systems. It reviews current and projected energy demand in consideration of energy conservation and alternative supply opportunities. It outlines the Remote Community Demonstration Program, a national program designed to help remote communities and their energy supply agencies to identify, assess and implement such opportunities. Finally, the paper presents four approaches to integrated energy systems.

KEYWORDS

Remote communities

Canada

energy conservation

alternative energy supply

integrated energy systems

THE COMMUNITIES

Currently, there are 374 communities in Canada considered remote in the sense that they are not served by grid electricity or natural gas distribution systems. While a small portion of these communities will be so served over the next decade, most have virtually no option for such connection. With a total population of less than 200,000, they comprise approximately 0.8% of the total population of Canada. In the second largest country (by area) in the world, the land area they cover is miniscule.

In their common features, they are very different from major Canadian population centers.

Size

With an average population of approximately 550, they may range from 10 households to 15,000 people. Family sizes are often larger than the Canadian norm.

Location

Located in northern latitudes, they are geographically isolated from the commercial and industrial centers of Canada and have severe access constraints (often limited to plane, barge, or ship) with resultant high transportation costs.

Climate

Climate is characterized by relatively long, cold (down to −60°C) winters with short (often hot) summmers. Growing seasons are limited by short frost-free periods. Snow and ice are normal winter conditions. Permafrost, or permanently frozen ground, is a common building constraint for foundations and infrastructure. Above the Arctic Circle, periods of 24 hour darkness occur in winter and 24 hour daylight occur in summer.

Culture

Most of the communities are characterized by native (Indian or Inuit) population and culture. Religion is normally traditional native or Christian.

Economy

Often traditional economies based on fishing, hunting and trapping predominate. Some communities are governmental administrative centers. Some are based on forestry, mining or commercial fishing. Some have tourism as a base. Many feature local crafts and fabrication. Per capita incomes are usually low relative to the rest of the country.

Level of Service

Health, education, infrastructure and other community services are often of a lower level of service than the Canadian norm.

CURRENT REMOTE COMMUNITY ENERGY USE

Current energy use is characterized by a high dependence on petroleum fuels for power generation and space heating. Petroleum resources are depleting, vulnerable to world-scale cost fluctuations, subject to supply disruptions internationally or in delivery to the communities. Consequently, energy supply to the communities is of considerable concern.

Communities below the treeline are also very dependent on wood fuel for space heating. While wood harvesting is often a source of employment, for climatic reasons tree growth is very slow and wood use may not always be a sustainable option. Other energy resources such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, peat, etc. exist but are generally of restricted applicability among communities.

Fuel and electricity costs are high, as much as 15 times the costs in southern Canada due to transportation costs. A litre of fuel oil (air supply) in Fort Severn, Ontario exceeds $1.60. Electricity costs in communities where oil is flown in exceed 50¢/kWh. In the south this cost may be 4¢/kWh. These high costs are offset to the consumer by a variety of governmental subsidies. While easing the consumer energy bill, these subsidies also reduce the incentive of consumers to conserve energy.

Subsidies are a major barrier to the pursuit of energy conservation and alternative energy supply options.

Total remote community energy use is summarized as:

−total energy	35.6	PJ
−per capita energy use	181	GJ
−oil for electricity	9.15	PJ
−oil for space heat	12.09	PJ
−cost of oil ($millions)	214.5

The reasons to pursue energy conservation and alternative energy supply opportunities are two-fold:

- for the communities potential benefits include: improved and more secure energy supply, improved opportunities for economic and social development, improved social conditions (e.g. quality of housing), and in some cases reduced energy prices.

- to the energy supply agencies benefits include: reduced energy costs, consumer subsidy reductions, and increased commercialization opportunities for Canadian contractors and manufacturers. Based on known viable off-oil options, the projected reduction for energy requirements is 25% and for oil requirements 38%. All communities have viable energy conservation opportunities and many have alternative supply opportunities. The response of the Canadian government to these opportunities has been the Rem...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Other Pergamon Titles of Interest
• Copyright
• Preface
• Sponsors
• TOPIC A: COMMUNITY ENERGY SYSTEMS AND EXPERIENCE
• TOPIC B: PHOTOVOLTAIC ELECTRICITY GENERATION
• TOPIC C: BIOFUEL
• TOPIC D: THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION (FAO) AND UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP) PROJECTS
• TOPIC E: HYDRO AND TIDAL POWER
• TOPIC F: WIND POWER
• TOPIC G: WAVE POWER
• TOPIC H: GEOTHERMAL
• TOPIC I: SOLAR SYSTEMS
• TOPIC J: BUILDING DESIGN
• List of Participants
• Author-Paper Index
• Subject Index