Tracking the transition to renewable electricity in remote indigenous communities in Canada

A Right Way, Wrong Way and Better Way for Energy Engineers to Work with Aboriginal Communities

“…This benefit would be further emphasised by expanding the definition of sustainable development to include the considerations and values of the Traditional custodians of the land. Karanasios and Parker (2018) provide an analysis of 71 renewable electricity technologies projects developed in remote communities of Canada. The authors conclude that solutions should not be imposed on the communities.…”

Explaining the Diffusion of Renewable Electricity Technologies in Canadian Remote Indigenous Communities through the Technological Innovation System Approach

“…In addition to quantitative studies, a limited number of qualitative contributions provide insights on structural, institutional and sociocultural factors for the successful deployment of RET projects in Canadian remote indigenous communities [22][23][24][25]. Furthermore, the dynamics of the transition of remote indigenous communities' electrical systems to more sustainable ones have been explained using the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) framework [26,27] and the interaction of co-evolving factors, such as destabilizing mechanisms at the landscape level, stabilizing mechanisms and governance structures at the regime level, and the adoption of innovative technologies at the niche level [28]. However, the MLP is unable to elaborate in detail, first, how the implemented governance structures that influenced the transition process came about, and, second, the roles and strategies of participating actors, the interactions between actors and institutions, and the role of resource distribution in the development of networks and actors' capacity [29,30].…”

Evaluating the Impacts of Supply and Demand-Side Interventions in Northern Remote and Rural Community Energy Systems

“…A remote community is defined as a long-term (five years or more) permanent settlement with at least 10 dwellings that has little or no road accessibility, and is not connected to the North American electrical grid, nor to a natural gas pipe network [2]. Historically, the need for energy and the lack of feasible alternatives in these locations forced residents to accept diesel generators as their primary means for delivering electricity and heat to its residents [5], [6]. Annually, the total amount of diesel consumed for electricity and heat generation in these communities amounts to approximately 90 million litres [1].…”

“…Annually, the total amount of diesel consumed for electricity and heat generation in these communities amounts to approximately 90 million litres [1]. Although these diesel energy systems are desirable due to their low maintenance, flexibility, and stable operation in extreme climates, they are also the main cause of a number of environmental, social, and economic challenges such as high levels of air pollution and noise, energy insecurity, and high energy costs [5], [6]. The latter of these challenges is especially problematic as it can precipitate other undesirable impacts on communities such as debt accumulation, and local economic stagnation [6], [7].…”

“…instead [13]. These DSIs typically involve the implementation of energy efficiency measures that reduce a building's total annual energy consumption [6], [13]. Typical DSIs in this category include building envelope energy retrofits, upgraded energy-efficient electrical appliances, and improved hot water faucets.…”