Decarbonization strategies for northern Canada: A review of renewable energy and energy storage in off-grid communities

This study explores the challenges and opportunities of decarbonizing isolated communities in northern Canada, which heavily rely on fossil fuels like diesel, contributing to significant greenhouse gas emissions. It examines renewable energy options, including wind, solar, and hydro, and identifies the technical, geographical, and social barriers to their implementation. Wind power, especially effective in the north, can reduce diesel dependence when combined with hybrid systems. Solar power complements other sources but is limited in winter. Hydropower remains essential but is constrained by geographical and environmental factors. The study also addresses energy storage technologies to ensure stable energy production. Thermal energy storage, including borehole and rock-pile systems, stands out for its efficiency, even in extreme climate conditions. Compressed-air storage offers a long-term solution, though its high initial cost is a challenge. Pumped hydro storage is effective but relies on natural landforms or costly infrastructure investments. Lithium-ion batteries are useful in reducing fossil fuel dependence but underperform in extreme cold, and their high cost remains an obstacle. Flywheels, though not suitable for primary storage, can provide fast, auxiliary storage to batteries. Hydrogen, despite its cost, is a promising option for large-scale, long-term storage. Finally, integrating indigenous communities into energy management is crucial to ensure that projects respect local traditions and are sustainable. The most effective approach combines multiple energy production and storage technologies tailored to each community's specific needs. This study lays the groundwork for future projects to decarbonize northern Canada's isolated communities with sustainable and locally adapted energy solutions.