A new publication by researchers in the APEX research group develops, applies, and tests a method for generating simulated thermal load data for Canada’s remote and northern communities.
Remote and northern communities are eager to transition away from diesel and towards low-carbon, sustainable microgrids. This requires detailed knowledge of the electrical and thermal energy needs of these communities; in other, non-Arctic, contexts, hourly load profile are needed to facilitate robust microgrid investment planning. Unfortunately, little data on thermal loads exist to support such planning for Canada’s >350 remote and northern communities. This first-of-a-kind effort is intended to inform communities and policy makers of the critical need for low-carbon heat generation options, and to encourage more rigorous data collection of thermal energy use across Canada’s remote and northern communities.