Abstract:

Our project aims to evaluate solar, wind and wave energy resources as cost-effective, environmentally friendly replacements for the diesel generators of the Graham Island North Grid, the 12.545MW capacity electrical grid that services the communities of Masset, Old Masset, and Port Clements. Through data acquisition from numerous open access geodata sources and research from previous similar project reports, renewable energy studies and local environmental assessments, we constructed the data foundations for three comprehensive Multi Criteria Analyses. These analyses incorporate local concerns, environmental constraints, energy output, and distance to existing infrastructure. The product of each MCE undergoes additional electrical capacity and investment requirement estimates to determine the cheapest renewable energy alternative. A discussion of the magnitude and impact of uncertainty and error is included to acknowledge the limitations of using open access data and subjectively weighted factors in simple MCE analyses. This project can illuminate the potential rewards of expanding the renewable energy sector in BC, especially projects serving remote communities.

Project developed and completed by Elias Braunstein and Alex Coster.

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
   1. Project Overview & Goals
   2. Solar Energy Background
   3. Wind Energy Background
   4. Wave Energy Background
2. Methodology
   1. MCE Design
   2. MCE Constraints
   3. Common MCE Factors
   4. Wind MCE
   5. Wave MCE
   6. Solar MCE
3. Results
   1. Wind Results
   2. Wave Results
   3. Solar Results
4. Discussion & Conclusions
   1. Error, Uncertainty & Subjectivity
   2. Discussion of MCE Results
   3. Drawing Conclusions
5. Data Sources
6. References