Optimization of hybrid renewable energy systems for remote communities in northern Canada

Mohammadmehdi Hosseini, William David Lubitz, Syeda Humaira Tasnim and Shohel Mahmud

Renewable Energy, 2025, vol. 244, issue C

Abstract: Electricity is currently provided in remote communities in Nunavut, Canada, using diesel generators. This study aims to identify the most cost-effective hybrid renewable energy systems by integrating photovoltaic panels and wind turbines to reduce carbon emissions and fuel costs associated with diesel generation. Two system configurations are considered: fully renewable energy systems and hybrid systems incorporating diesel generators. A genetic algorithm-based optimization approach is used to determine the optimal wind farm layout while considering wake effects. The hybrid system achieved levelized costs of electricity (LCOEs) of 0.30 $/kWh in Arviat, 0.35 $/kWh in Rankin Inlet, 0.29 $/kWh in Baker Lake, and 0.37 $/kWh in Sanikiluaq, significantly reducing energy costs compared to diesel-only systems. Additionally, the optimized hybrid configurations led to over 55 % reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while improving annual energy production by 20 % in Arviat and up to 15 % in Sanikiluaq. The study demonstrates that integrating wind and solar energy with existing diesel infrastructure provides a financially viable and environmentally sustainable pathway for energy transition in remote off-grid communities. These findings contribute to ongoing research on optimizing hybrid renewable energy systems for cold-climate regions, ensuring affordability, reliability, and emissions reduction.

Keywords: Renewable energy system; Diesel generators; Wake effect; Genetic algorithm; TOPSIS; AHP (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:244:y:2025:i:c:s096014812500391x

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.122729

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