Smart Solar Community Micro-Grid Integrated Solution

completed

The Taykwa Tagamou First Nations is limited in their energy options. There is no Natural Gas available in the community and providers have no plans to extend service into the community. Hydro One has no remaining local connection capacity for new grid connected renewable energy projects, and has no plans to upgrade the local grid to accept additional connections. Oil and grid supplied electricity are the primary energy sources in the community. Both are expensive and becoming more expensive each year. The community administration and the community residents are struggling with rising costs of energy and are seeking solutions, especially opportunities for green energy. The proposed project is a Community Micro-Grid combined with Energy Conservation Measures (ECM’s). It will provide an integrated solution for community housing and infrastructure buildings and will include non-exporting grid interactive Solar electricity generation. The Solar energy generated will be used to power internal building loads only. Any excess generation is stored in batteries. There is no export to the grid, even during temporary times of production that exceed load. Any shortfall is sourced from the grid. In this way, the renewable energy offsets the cost of powering local loads without the need for grid connection capacity. The integrated solution components and architecture drawings are including in Appendix B. ECM’s will vary according to needs (as identified in energy audits) including insulation, heat pumps, PV water pre-heat, etc. Technology innovation will include the development of community level smart-grid custom software for ongoing control, maintenance and monitoring. The solution will be constructed employing community members.