scholarly journals Building Energy Sovereignty through Community-Based Projects in Nunavik

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 9061
Author(s):  
Thierry Rodon ◽  
Louise Nachet ◽  
Christophe Krolik ◽  
Tommy Palliser

Inuit communities in Canada are overwhelmingly dependent on expensive and polluting local diesel-powered generators for electricity production. This article seeks to understand the legal and political obstacles relative to the development of renewable energy in Nunavik, Québec’s Inuit territory. After an analysis of the legal regimes, political configurations, and policies affecting energy production in Nunavik, we present two case studies of renewable energy projects in the communities of Kuujjuaq and Inukjuak. This allows us to demonstrate that the development of alternative energy projects is not only determined by technical and economic issues but is also inseparable from the asymmetrical post-colonial power relations between Quebec institutions and the Inuit people. Our results not only illustrate the value of community ownership and leadership for sustainable northern development but also the ambiguous attitude of public authorities regarding the political and financial support for such projects.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Lauren K. D’Souza ◽  
William L. Ascher ◽  
Tanja Srebotnjak

Native American reservations are among the most economically disadvantaged regions in the United States; lacking access to economic and educational opportunities that are exacerbated by “energy insecurity” due to insufficient connectivity to the electric grid and power outages. Local renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and biomass offer energy alternatives but their implementation encounters barriers such as lack of financing, infrastructure, and expertise, as well as divergent attitudes among tribal leaders. Biomass, in particular, could be a source of stable base-load power that is abundant and scalable in many rural communities. This case study examines the feasibility of a biomass energy plant on the Cocopah reservation in southwestern Arizona. It considers feedstock availability, cost and energy content, technology options, nameplate capacity, discount and interest rates, construction, operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, and alternative investment options. This study finds that at current electricity prices and based on typical costs for fuel, O&M over 30 years, none of the tested scenarios is presently cost-effective on a net present value (NPV) basis when compared with an alternative investment yielding annual returns of 3% or higher. The technology most likely to be economically viable and suitable for remote, rural contexts—a combustion stoker—resulted in a levelized costs of energy (LCOE) ranging from US$0.056 to 0.147/kWh. The most favorable scenario is a combustion stoker with an estimated NPV of US$4,791,243. The NPV of the corresponding alternative investment is US$7,123,380. However, if the tribes were able to secure a zero-interest loan to finance the plant’s installation cost, the project would be on par with the alternative investment. Even if this were the case, the scenario still relies on some of the most optimistic assumptions for the biomass-to-power plant and excludes abatement costs for air emissions. The study thus concludes that at present small-scale, biomass-to-energy projects require a mix of favorable market and local conditions as well as appropriate policy support to make biomass energy projects a cost-competitive source of stable, alternative energy for remote rural tribal communities that can provide greater tribal sovereignty and economic opportunities.


Author(s):  
Suudan Gökçe Gök

The energy sector holds a crucial strategic importance for development and its sustainability. However, the energy reserves in Turkey are insufficient for the increasing energy demand. For this reason, the need for alternative energy sources has emerged. The fact that fossil fuels used in energy production will be exhausted and their damaging effects on the environment has made it inevitable for the world to use renewable energy. In Turkey, the following are the main energy sources used in electricity production: hydraulic sources, brown coal, natural gas, coal and fuel oil. The use of renewable energy sources in electricity production has shown a considerable development in the world over the past few decades. However, these energy resources have yet to be exploited to any large extent in Turkey. In this chapter, the range of potential renewable energy resources available for electricity production in Turkey will be analyzed in order to determine the necessary technical substructure to make these renewable energy resources more attractive.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 93-107
Author(s):  
Victoria I. Bushukina ◽  

The purpose of the article is to study the theoretical and practical aspects of investment activities in the field of renewable energy in the world and in Russia. To achieve this goal, during the development of theoretical material, a systematic analysis of existing approaches to the assessment of financing mechanisms for renewable energy projects was carried out. Statistical and econometric research tools include correlation analysis and multivariate regression analysis. The article examines the development of renewable energy, its benefits, and investments in the industry. The financial risks and barriers associated with financing renewable energy projects are considered. The development of the industry over the past 10 years is analyzed, taking into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the electricity industry in general and on renewable energy in a number of countries. It is established that the world is shifting to the use of renewable energy sources, and in Russia they are not being given due attention. It is revealed that the existing thermal generation units in Russia are of great age and are to be decommissioned in the near future. The current state of renewable energy in Russia, measures to support it and the rate of its development are investigated. The technical potential of wind and solar power plants in the Russian Federation is considered within the aim of diversifying electricity production. The factors that negatively affect the development of the renewable energy industry are identified.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-91
Author(s):  
I. PRYDATKO ◽  
◽  
Oleksandr Kollarov ◽  
N. TYUTYUNNYK ◽  
D. KARDASH ◽  
...  

Increased greenhouse gas emissions, climate change; loss of diversity of fauna and flora, depletion of mineral deposits, accumulation of huge volumes of industrial waste, increasing risks of shortages of some types of energy has led to the development and reaching new levels of renewable energy in many countries, mainly with strong economies. To date, a number of EU countries have virtually abandoned traditional nuclear energy, virtually curtailed fuel energy using nonrenewable fossil resources, and are working hard to develop new energy-saving technologies. In Ukraine, there is a similar tendency to reduce the production of electricity from thermal power plants and increase the share of renewable energy in total production. Unfortunately, in 2020 the structure of electricity production in Ukraine has changed and does not correspond to global trends in energy development. The share of electricity generation at TPPs has increased significantly, and the share of cleaner and cheaper NPP generation has decreased to 40%. There are a number of reasons for this, but we consider it urgent to return to the process of reducing TPP generation capacity. The dynamics of renewable energy development in the country is quite positive. Additional measures are also needed to ensure the safety of nuclear energy - to finally eliminate dependence on Russian fuel. Many countries have decided to abandon cars with internal combustion engines altogether. In Ukraine, the market for electric cars is also developing and the demand for such cars is growing every month. We are among the top 5 countries in terms of market development dynamics. The development of car designs with so-called "nuclear batteries" cannot be ruled out. There are many such technologies, but all of them are currently unfinished and limited in the use of security issues. It is necessary to stimulate the development of hydrogen and electric transport in our country at the legislative level. And last but not least: in order to form a philosophy of ecological consumption among the citizens of Ukraine, it is necessary to develop appropriate government programs, introduce them in education, science and industrial production


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1468
Author(s):  
Mohammed Bouznit ◽  
María del P. Pablo-Romero ◽  
Antonio Sánchez-Braza

Algeria has enormous renewable energy potential. However, fossil fuels remain the main electricity generation source, and the country is the third largest CO2 emitter in Africa. Algeria is also particularly vulnerable to climate change. Therefore, a set of actions related to energy, forests, industry and waste sectors have been programmed, over the period 2015–2030, and the government action program has given priority to promote renewable energy. In this sense, Algeria is committed to significantly promote investment in renewable energy, during the period 2020–2030. Thus by 2030, renewable electricity production capacity will achieve 22,000 MW, representing 27% of total electricity generation. This paper analyzes the electricity generation measures implemented in Algeria to reach the required energy mix, the legislative framework, financial aid, the feed-in tariff system, the tax incentives, and the tender and auctions undertaken. The analyses reveal that, although the electricity price premium policy has not been revoked, the newly enacted tender scheme is designed to become the standard procedure for launching renewable energy projects in Algeria in the coming years.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Yasuko Honda

This study aims to specify the contextual conditions that allow for the success of community renewable energy projects, against the background of the expanding use of renewable energy. It analyzes cases where farmers invested in organizations to establish ownership of hydropower plants in the Chugoku region, Japan. Community renewable energy projects derived from local initiatives to provide an alternative energy resource and serve as a catalyst for rural development. However, the costs of small hydropower plant construction and the expert knowledge required for their operation could hinder the diffusion of the technology. Population decline and aging in rural communities also constrain the development of community renewable energy projects. This study presents cases that illuminate the conditions enabling these organizations to succeed in securing the necessary resources for the operation of their renewable energy plants. The survey illustrates how studied organizations have opted to collaborate with external actors to construct or refurbish their plants. The findings indicate that as building partnerships with external actors often becomes essential, it is vital to develop a business-minded framework in which both communities and external actors can financially benefit from introducing small hydropower projects. The cases also reveal that in building collaborative relationships, broad disparities exist between communities and external actors in financial power and expert knowledge, which give the latter substantial advantages in negotiations. An additional important claim derived is that, for an effective partnership that enables a successful community renewable energy project, a third party with expert knowledge and the ability to audit partnership-building processes could play a crucial role in securing community initiatives and independence.


Author(s):  
Suudan Gökçe Gök

The energy sector holds a crucial strategic importance for development and its sustainability. However, the energy reserves in Turkey are insufficient for the increasing energy demand. For this reason, the need for alternative energy sources has emerged. The fact that fossil fuels used in energy production will be exhausted and their damaging effects on the environment has made it inevitable for the world to use renewable energy. In Turkey, the following are the main energy sources used in electricity production: hydraulic sources, brown coal, natural gas, coal and fuel oil. The use of renewable energy sources in electricity production has shown a considerable development in the world over the past few decades. However, these energy resources have yet to be exploited to any large extent in Turkey. In this chapter, the range of potential renewable energy resources available for electricity production in Turkey will be analyzed in order to determine the necessary technical substructure to make these renewable energy resources more attractive.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document