colville lake, n.w.t., now powered by solar/diesel hybrid system - battery energy storage system
Lake Colville, NYW. T.
Pioneer in the solar/diesel hybrid system, which is expected to reduce the town's reliance on diesel.
"Clearly, the world energy sector is looking at how the system will work," said Alvin Olias, who manages the new facility in Lake Colville. The N. W. T.
The power company says it has put in new, greener systems as it is already replacing old power plants and generators.
The new hybrid system combines two solar cell arrays and three battery storage systems with diesel generators to power towns with less than 200 people.
When the sun rises, the 130 solar panel system charges the battery.
"Whenever the battery is charged 100, it will flip to the battery, during which the town will be powered by the battery," said Pam Coulter, spokesman for the Northwest Regional power company . ".
"The generator will restart when it drops to about $40.
A year ago, the power company called colligelake one of the most expensive small nuclear power plants. W. T.
The community is in power.
It uses about $140,000 of diesel every year, and winter roads are introduced once a year.
Since the system was installed in December, solar cells have been able to generate enough power to run for about 30 minutes during the day and about 60 minutes at night. That diesel-
Idle time is expected to increase as the amount of sunlight increases.
During the 24-hour day of the summer, the town will rely mainly on solar energy.
"We expect that we may be able to get enough energy from solar energy to actually power the entire town, as long as the sun shines, I believe," Kurt said . ".
The new system is one of several projects designed to reduce reliance on diesel
Burning generators in remote communitiesThe N. W. T.
I am part of a country team and would like to find alternative ways to provide about 300 of electricity
The National Grid community.
The noise of the new system is also much smaller than that of the old power plant.
"Sometimes it's quiet and the engines are quiet," he said . ".
"They are not very loud.
I had to look out the window to make sure they were running.
"The project cost $7.
7 million, with N. W. T.
The government invested $1. 3 million.