Planning and Optimization of a Small-Scale Hybrid Microgrid in a Northern Community

Remote communities have been a focal point when targeting reduced reliance on fossil fuel-based electricity generation. These communities often house first nations and local power plants are considered mission critical. Recently, governments have incented drives to simultaneously increase the reliability of electricity as well as lessen greenhouse gas emissions in these locations. Renewable sources of energy, sometimes coupled with energy storage, have emerged as options to reduce diesel consumption and hedge supply, with the side benefit of reduced emissions, and are slowly gaining acceptance. This paper presents the experience of a major Canadian electric utility in the planning and optimization of photovoltaic generation and battery energy storage to supply a small community. While extensive techno-economic analyzes were conducted, as well as regulatory hurdles overcome, this paper is centered around the technical optimization used to plan and design these two assets.