Pathways to Zero‐Carbon Energy Systems in Remote Communities of Canada

ABSTRACT Remote community energy systems in Canada are undergoing supply and load technology‐based interventions to support decarbonization efforts. As wind and solar electricity generators are the predominant energy sources, we evaluate zero‐carbon electrification pathways for remote microgrid applications over a long‐term planning horizon. The basis of these pathways is centralized battery systems combined with wind and solar electricity generation. We expand these pathways to include sensible distributed thermal energy storage and account for policy driven transitions to heat pumps and electric vehicles. We use the model in the context of the Xeni Gwet'in First Nation Community located in the Nemaiah Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Much like other remote communities, the Nemaiah Valley presently relies on diesel supplemented with PV for electricity generation, propane and wood for space heating, and gasoline/diesel for transportation. This work investigates the economic viability and capacity requirements for the microgrid to serve both electrical and thermal loads in the community. We present the technoeconomic performance of each pathway and discuss how modeling strategies and challenges can better support the transition of microgrid energy systems to zero‐carbon systems for remote communities in Canada.