Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Almost 80% of isolated communities and mining sites across Canada rely on diesel generators for energy production, which is an expensive and polluting solution. Using hybrid power systems which include solar photovoltaic energy may considerably improve the energy production of isolated sites by reducing the fossils fuels consumption, the associated greenhouse emissions and the elevated costs. As most of remote communities are not confident about high penetration solar PV hybrid systems, Green Sun Rising (GSR) and the TechnoCentre éolien (TCE) are willing to identify the main variables that must be observed in order to increase PV penetration. Moreover, including those findings in a real-size hybrid system will provide enough evidence on how PV penetration can be increased.*GSR is a Canadian company developing solar PV systems, from planning, to procurement and commissioning, and willing to broaden their target market by focusing on Canadian northern remote locations. The research project will benefit from their extensive expertise, particularly in identifying the main conditions for increasing PV penetration in hybrid systems from the installer and operator point of view. *The TCE will accompany GSR by carrying on an exhaustive identification of technical and technological constraints related to hybrid PV-diesel systems sizing and design. The TCE will also identify and adapt sizing techniques for maximizing PV integration. *Students of the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Iles will directly benefit from the knowledge acquired in the context of this project. Specifically, they will familiarize themselves with the positive impacts of integrating renewable energy solutions on the environment and on the economy.*