Breaking Barriers to Renewable Energy Production in the North American Arctic

As climate change continues to affect our lives, the communities at the northern extremes of our world have witnessed the changes most profoundly. In the Arctic, where climate change is melting permafrost and causing major shoreline erosion, remote communities in Alaska and northern Canada are particularly vulnerable. Furthermore, these communities have limited access to electrical grids and bear oppressive energy costs relying on diesel generators. While some communities have started to incorporate renewable energy into their hamlets and villages, progress has generally been limited with the notable exception of Canada’s Northwest Territories and some coastal communities in western Alaska. During its latest stint as chair of the Arctic Council, the United States outlined community renewable energy in the Arctic as one of its primary goals. This Note focuses on regulatory and practical policy solutions to make that goal possible. It draws on examples from industrialized countries, such as Canada and the United Kingdom, as well as examples from developing countries, such as India and Peru, to examine solutions for the technical, economic, regulatory, and community engagement problems that Arctic communities in Alaska face when setting up new energy projects. Additionally, this Note describes the current political structure of Alaskan villages under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and argues that Alaska Native Corporations should play a role in developing clean, cheap energy sources for their shareholders. Finally, this Note argues that public-private partnerships, like the non-profit Arctic Energy Alliance in the Northwest Territories, shows that clean, renewable energy projects for rural Arctic villages are possible throughout the Arctic. This Note draws lessons from other communities throughout the world and attempts to apply them to the unique situations that remote northern Alaska communities face regarding access to clean, renewable energy

Renewable energy development in Alaska: policy implications for the development of renewable energy for remote areas of the circumpolar Arctic

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2019The territories that comprise the Arctic region are part of some of wealthiest and most advanced countries on the planet; yet, rural Alaska, northern Canada, the Russian Far East and Greenland--characterized by off-grid communities, regional grids, and higher degrees of energy insecurity--have more in common with the developing world than the southern regions of their own country. This thesis explains this paradox of energy development in the Circumpolar North and tackles the issue of developing renewable energy in remote areas where technical and socioeconomic barriers are significant. The primary research questions are two-fold: 1) Why did the Alaska electrical system develop as a non-integrated patchwork of regional and isolated grids? and 2) What are the major factors in Alaska that have resulted in a greater uptake of renewable energy systems for remote communities, compared to other similar places in the Arctic? This thesis demonstrates that state-building theory provides a cogent framework to understand the context of electrical build-out in the Circumpolar North. A major finding of this thesis is that the buildout of electric infrastructure in the non-Nordic countries, including Alaska, exemplifies a process of incomplete nation-building. Interconnected regional grids, where they exist, are largely due to the twin national priorities in infrastructure development in the north: extracting natural resources and enhancing national security. This thesis also draws on sociotechnical transition theory to explain why Alaska exhibits such high levels of energy innovation when compared to other similar regions across the Arctic. This research concludes that drivers such as extremely high energy costs, a highly deregulated utility market with dozens of certificated utilities, state investment in infrastructure, and modest subsidies that create a technological niche where renewable energy projects are cost-competitive at current market prices have spurred energy innovation throughout Alaska's communities, remote or otherwise. Many of the evolving technical strategies and lessons learned from renewable integration projects in Alaska's remote islanded microgrids are directly applicable to project development in other markets. Despite differences in climate and geography, lessons learned in Alaska could prove invaluable in increasing resiliency and driving down energy costs in remote communities world-wide.Office of Naval ResearchChapter 1: Introduction. Chapter 2: State Building and Electrification in Alaska -- 2.1 Early electrification in Alaska (1893-1930) -- 2.2 Securing borders, infrastructure buildout, and statehood -- 2.3 Post-WWII emphasis of nation-building in the north -- 2.4 Power to the people - village electrification (1970-1985) -- 2.5 1970-present -- 2.6 Discussion -- 2.7 References. Chapter 3: Renewable Energy Integration in Alaska's Remote Islanded Microgrids: economic drivers, technical strategies, niche market development, and policy implications -- 3.1 Abstract -- 3.2 Introduction -- 3.3. Alaska's electricity infrastructure -- 3.3.1 Alaska's Railbelt electric grid -- 3.3.2 Hydropower-based grids in Alaska -- 3.3.3 Alaska's remote microgrids -- 3.4 Alaska's energy portfolio and economic drivers for renewable energy development -- 3.5 Technical strategies and project examples for integrating renewable systems in Alaska -- 3.5.1 Dispatchable loads - centralized -- 3.5.2 Dispatchable loads - distributed -- 3.5.3 Energy storage -- 3.5.4 Innovative grid-forming strategies -- 3.5.5 Reliable and resilient operation -- 3.6 Technological Niche Development to Support Alaska's Remote Microgrids -- 3.6.1 Low energy subsidies -- 3.6.2 Decentralized energy markets -- 3.6.3 Open access to data -- 3.6.4 A culture of innovation -- 3.7 Internal Processes Supporting Technological Niche Development in Remote Islanded Microgrids -- 3.7.1 Clearly articulated vision -- 3.7.2 Building of socio-economic networks -- 3.7.3 Learning processes at multiple dimensions -- 3.8 Lessons learned -- 3.8.1 Technical lessons learned -- 3.8.2 Policy lessons learned -- 3.9 Conclusions -- 3.10 References. Chapter 4: Findings and Conclusions

Impact of Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy on the Long-Term Planning of an Isolated Microgrid

[EN] Isolated microgrids, such as islands, rely on fossil fuels for electricity generation and include vehicle fleets, which poses significant environmental challenges. To address this, distributed energy resources based on renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs) have been deployed in several places. However, they present operational and planning concerns. Hence, the aim of this paper is to propose a two-level microgrid problem. The first problem considers an EV charging strategy that minimizes charging costs and maximizes the renewable energy use. The second level evaluates the impact of this charging strategy on the power generation planning of Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador. This planning model is simulated in HOMER Energy. The results demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of investing in additional photovoltaic (PV) generation and in the EV charging strategy. 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IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 25(1), 371-380. doi:10.1109/tpwrs.2009.2036481Wang, G., Xu, Z., Wen, F., & Wong, K. P. (2013). Traffic-Constrained Multiobjective Planning of Electric-Vehicle Charging Stations. IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 28(4), 2363-2372. doi:10.1109/tpwrd.2013.2269142Rezaeimozafar, M., Eskandari, M., Amini, M. H., Moradi, M. H., & Siano, P. (2020). A Bi-Layer Multi-Objective Techno-Economical Optimization Model for Optimal Integration of Distributed Energy Resources into Smart/Micro Grids. Energies, 13(7), 1706. doi:10.3390/en13071706Clairand, J.-M., Rodr韌uez-Garc韆, J., & 羖varez-Bel, C. (2020). Assessment of Technical and Economic Impacts of EV User Behavior on EV Aggregator Smart Charging. Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy, 8(2), 356-366. doi:10.35833/mpce.2018.000840Yang, H., Pan, H., Luo, F., Qiu, J., Deng, Y., Lai, M., & Dong, Z. Y. (2017). 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Enabling combined access to electricity and clean cooking with PV-microgrids: new evidences from a high-resolution model of cooking loads. Energy for Sustainable Development, 49, 78-88. doi:10.1016/j.esd.2019.01.005Fulhu, M., Mohamed, M., & Krumdieck, S. (2019). Voluntary demand participation (VDP) for security of essential energy activities in remote communities with case study in Maldives. Energy for Sustainable Development, 49, 27-38. doi:10.1016/j.esd.2019.01.002He, L., Zhang, S., Chen, Y., Ren, L., & Li, J. (2018). Techno-economic potential of a renewable energy-based microgrid system for a sustainable large-scale residential community in Beijing, China. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 93, 631-641. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2018.05.053Veilleux, G., Potisat, T., Pezim, D., Ribback, C., Ling, J., Krysztofiński, A., … Chucherd, S. (2020). Techno-economic analysis of microgrid projects for rural electrification: A systematic approach to the redesign of Koh Jik off-grid case study. 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Power Generation Planning of Galapagos Microgrid Considering Electric Vehicles and Induction Stoves

[EN] Islands located far away from the mainland and remote communities depend on isolated microgrids based on diesel fuel, which results in significant environmental and cost issues. This is currently being addressed by integrating renewable energy sources (RESs). Thus, this paper discusses the generation planning problem in diesel-based island microgrids with RES, considering the electrification of transportation and cooking to reduce their environmental impact, and applied to the communities of Santa Cruz and Baltra in the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. A baseline model is developed in HOMER for the existing system with diesel generation and RES, while the demand of electric vehicles and induction stoves is calculated from vehicle driving data and cooking habits in the islands, respectively. The integration of these new loads into the island microgrid is studied to determine its costs and environmental impacts, based on diesel cost sensitivity studies to account for its uncertainty. The results demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of investing in RES for Galapagos' microgrid, to electrify the local transportation and cooking system.J.-M. Clairand would like to thank Universidad de las Americas for funding his visit to the University of Waterloo. The authors would like to thank W. Mendieta, F. Calero, and E. Vera from the University of Waterloo for their valuable comments and helpful suggestions.Clairand-Gómez, J.; Arriaga, M.; Cañizares, CA.; Álvarez, C. (2019). Power Generation Planning of Galapagos Microgrid Considering Electric Vehicles and Induction Stoves. IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy. 10(4):1916-1926. https://doi.org/10.1109/TSTE.2018.2876059S1916192610

Electric thermal storage in isolated wind diesel power systems: use of distributed secondary loads for frequency regulation

Thesis (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2017Isolated coastal utilities in Arctic villages commonly use a mix of diesel and wind power to provide electrical service to their consumers. It is common for such communities to experience periods of high wind generation for which no immediate demand exists and either waste, curtail, or poorly utilize the surplus. The objective of the present work is to explore (through mathematical and numerical modelling) the technical feasibility of and optimization strategies for distributing this excess wind energy as domestic space heat for use as a cleaner, more economical alternative to fossil fuels. Autonomously controlled Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) devices are considered as a solution to decouple the supply of excess wind power with domestic heat demand without the need for communication infrastructure or a second distribution circuit. First, using numerical heat transfer analysis, it is shown that the performance of an ETS heater core can be generalized and expressed in terms of its physical properties and simple geometric dimensions in such a way as to inform system sizing and economic performance studies for prospective applications. Furthermore, a collection of autonomous ETS units is shown (using a full-scale lab-validated mathematical model) to possess the ability to assume the role of partial and/or sole frequency regulator on a hybrid wind-diesel system. Several design changes are proposed, which render the commercially-available units more amenable to frequency regulation. Ultimately, ETS is shown to be a promising alternative means of utilizing excess renewable energy for domestic space heat while providing additional stability to the electrical grid.Chapter 1 Introduction -- 1.1 Hybrid Wind-Diesel Systems -- 1.2 Frequency Regulation -- 1.3 Voltage Regulation -- 1.4 Energy Storage -- 1.5 Secondary Loads -- 1.6 Electric Thermal Storage -- 1.7 Summary and Organization of Subsequent Chapters -- 1.8 Nomenclature -- 1.9 References -- Chapter 2 Summary of Measurement and Modeling Methodologies -- 2.1 Numerical Heat Transfer - Measurement -- 2.2 Numerical Heat Transfer - Physical Modeling -- 2.3 Electromechanical Dynamics - Measurement -- 2.3.1 Field Measurements -- 2.3.2 Raw Data -- 2.3.3 Post Processing: RMS Values -- 2.3.4 Post Processing: Frequency and Power Factor -- 2.3.5 Post Processing: Impedance, Real Power, and Reactive Power -- 2.4 Electromechanical Dynamics - Modeling -- 2.4.1 Model Structure -- 2.4.2 Equivalent Circuit Simulation Process -- 2.4.3 Solution of Nonlinear Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs) -- 2.5 References -- Chapter 3 Generalized Heat Flow Model of a Forced Air Electric Thermal Storage Heater Core -- 3.1 Abstract -- 3.2 Introduction -- 3.3 Model -- 3.3.1 Definitions -- 3.3.2 Structure -- 3.3.3 Governing Equations -- 3.3.4 Boundary Conditions -- 3.3.5 Material Properties -- 3.4 Analysis -- 3.4.1 Solution Linearization and Air Velocity Profile -- 3.4.2 Thermal Gradients -- 3.4.3 Parameter Sweep -- 3.5 Results and Discussion -- 3.5.1 One-parameter Model -- 3.5.2 Two-parameter Model -- 3.5.3 Core Energy Balance -- 3.5.4 Stove Modelling -- 3.6 Conclusions -- 3.7 Acknowledgements -- 3.8 Funding -- 3.9 Nomenclature -- 3.10 References -- Chapter 4 Development of a Full-Scale-Lab-Validated Dynamic Simulink© Model for a Stand-Alone -- Wind-Powered Microgrid -- 4.1 Abstract -- 4.2 Introduction -- 4.3 Mathematical Model -- 4.3.1 Diesel Engine/Governor Model -- 4.3.2 Synchronous Generator Model -- 4.3.3 Excitation System Model -- 4.3.4 Induction Generator Model -- 4.4 Data Collection -- 4.5 Results -- 4.5.1 Data Processing -- 4.5.2 Diesel Only (DO) Mode - Laboratory Results -- 4.5.3 Diesel Only (DO) Mode - Simulation Results -- 4.5.4 Wind-Diesel (WD) Mode -- 4.6 Conclusions -- 4.7 Future Work -- 4.8 Acknowledgements -- 4.9 References -- Chapter 5 Frequency Regulation by Distributed Secondary Loads on Islanded Wind-Powered Microgrids -- 5.1 Abstract -- 5.2 Introduction -- 5.3 Mathematical Model -- 5.3.1 Wind-Diesel Hybrid System -- 5.3.2 Individual ETS Units Response -- 5.3.3 Aggregate DSL Response -- 5.4 Analysis -- 5.4.1 Invariant Model Inputs (Machine Parameters) -- 5.4.2 Variable Model Inputs -- 5.4.3 Model Outputs -- 5.5 Results and Discussion -- 5.5.1 Synchronized Switching -- 5.5.2 Staggered Switching -- 5.5.3 Additional Observations and Discussion -- 5.6 Conclusion and Future Work -- 5.7 References -- Chapter 6 Modelling Integration Strategies for Autonomous Distributed Secondary Loads on High Penetration Wind-Diesel Microgrids -- 6.1 Abstract -- 6.2 Introduction -- 6.3 Model -- 6.3.1 System Requirements -- 6.3.2 System Components -- 6.3.3 Control Strategy -- 6.4 Results and Discussion -- 6.4.1 Ramp Simulation -- 6.4.2 Representative Simulation -- 6.4.3 Design Considerations -- 6.5 Conclusions -- 6.6 Acknowledgements -- 6.7 References -- Chapter 7 Results and Observations -- 7.1 Result and Observations of Chapter 3 -- 7.2 Results and Observations of Chapter 4 -- 7.3 Results and Observations of Chapter 5 -- 7.4 Results and Observations of Chapter 6 -- Chapter 8 Conclusions -- 8.1 Conclusions for Generalized Heat Flow Model of a Forced Air Electric Thermal Storage Heater Core -- 8.2 Conclusions for Development of a Full-Scale-Lab-Validated Dynamic Simulink© Model for a Stand-Alone Wind-Powered Microgrid -- 8.3 Conclusions for Frequency Regulation by Distributed Secondary Loads (DSLs) on Islanded Wind-Powered Microgrids -- 8.4 Conclusions for Modeling Integration Strategies for Autonomous Distributed Secondary Loads on High Penetration Wind-Diesel Microgrids -- 8.5 Suggestions for Future Research -- 8.6 Overall Conclusions -- 8.7 Acknowledgements

FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS OF A MOBILE MICROGRID DESIGN TO SUPPORT DOD ENERGY RESILIENCE GOALS

This research investigates the feasibility of using mobile microgrids to increase energy resilience on Department of Defense installations. The primary question examined is whether a standardized mobile microgrid, constrained within an ISO TriCon container, can provide the necessary power for small critical sites with an average 10 kW load with similar resilience to a customized single load microgrid or emergency backup generator. Key assumptions for this research are that power outages may be accompanied by a fuel-constrained environment (e.g., natural disaster that restricts fuel transport), that an existing installation microgrid is in place, and that the risk of outages does not warrant the development of redundant customized single load microgrids for each critical load. Feasibility was examined by constructing an architectural design that attempts to find a satisfactory combination of commercial off-the-shelf components for battery energy storage, photovoltaic power, and generator power within the constraints of an 8 ft x 6.5 ft x 8 ft shipping container. That design was modeled and simulated over a two-week period using Global Horizontal Index solar irradiation data, and a randomized average 10 kW load. Results of the model were used to analyze the feasibility of the system to meet the load while reducing dependency on fuel resources. Trade-offs between a customized single load microgrid and standardized mobile microgrid are discussed.Major, United States ArmyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Cost Benefit Framework for Cold Climate Microgrids

For a quarter of a century, global energy policy has shifted electric utility investments away from fossil fuels toward renewable substitutes. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is motivating improvements in the cost and efficiency of renewable energy technologies. Historically, the social and environmental values of communities were not considered in electric utility decision making in Canada. Today, community capacity building and reducing household costs are important social objectives for renewable energy integration in Canada’s northern, remote and Indigenous communities. This intersection of policy goals is encouraging the development of new decision-making tools for communities using cold climate microgrids and the utility companies who own and operate them. The purpose of this research is to understand, quantify, value and qualify the social and economic implications of alternative energy investments in remote, northern and Indigenous communities. This research adopts a case-study approach to describe the impacts of renewable energy integration, represented by a comprehensive suite of costs and benefits using cost benefit analysis. The goal of using cost benefit analysis as an economic method is to compare alternative renewable energy investments and evaluate them based on a measure of efficiency. The framework is applied using a spread sheet type model. The application includes an analysis of two scenarios (i) the baseline scenario, based on diesel generation compared to (ii) solar photovoltaic integration. The results show that social surplus in remote, northern and Indigenous communities can improve with renewable energy integration into cold climate microgrids. The findings also emphasize the enhanced effects of incorporating demand side management investments to improve economic efficiency. Moreover, renewable energy integration into cold climate microgrids has the potential to correct market failures by reducing information asymmetry and providing numerous positive externalities

Sustainable energy supply in rural arctic areas

The dissertation is a collection of the three leading publications, which result from the doctoral research project ‘Sustainable Energy Supply in Remote Arctic Areas - Analysis of resources, technology and policies for developing energy systems’. The research focuses on which energy resources are available in the Arctic and how the various resources can be harvested with different mature energy technology options for remote Arctic communities. Mature energy generation technology means that the operation under harsh and cold climatical conditions is well proven. Furthermore, the current energy situation among remote Arctic communities will be mapped out, with an analysis of which energy sources are used, the share of the different sources, and the energy demand of remote communities. After explaining the different energy generation options and main drivers for using renewable energy in remote Arctic communities, three case studies have been conducted. The case studies examine the viability of a potential energy transition for Arctic communities. The case studies also share some insights from field visits in remote communities on generating electricity with renewables and potential energy saving potentials. The last part elaborates on different integration strategies for renewable energy options. The focus lies on how to finance the energy transition in remote Arctic communities, which can help to structure the energy transition process financially. The dissertation finishes with an overall conclusion on the importance of renewable energy for Arctic communities. The research shows that renewable energy can be vital for remote communities to become more energy independent and lower the energy cost burden.Iceland Research Fund, Grant Nr. 195846-053; e Landsvirkjun Energy Fund, Grants NÝR-10 – 2019, NÝR-17 – 2020, NÝR-15 - 202

Community choices: Pathways to integrate renewable energy into indigenous remote community energy systems

Community owned renewable energy generation (electricity and heat) is often associated with improving reliability and affordability of supply, increasing local wellbeing, empowering through new revenues, business opportunities and capacity building, and reducing environmental impacts. Similar motivations for renewable energy projects are observed in the case of Canadian remote indigenous communities that target activities that improve their socioeconomic conditions and mitigate socioeconomic-political-cultural impacts resulting from colonization, while having minimal influence on the environment and traditional activities. However, the slow transformation of remote indigenous communities’ diesel-powered electricity systems through the introduction of renewable energy technologies (RETs) between 1980 and 2016 called for an examination of factors that influence the transition to more sustainable electricity options. The purpose of this dissertation was to improve understanding of the technical, contextual, and social complexity associated with the introduction of RETs into Canadian remote indigenous community electrical systems, explain the diffusion of RET projects within these systems to date, and examine the implemented governance processes and how these processes were modified to encompass indigenous perspectives. Improved understanding enables identification of pathways and development of policy recommendations for the transition to more sustainable energy systems. These objectives were achieved through: (a) a review of prior academic and non-academic documents on the introduction of RETs into remote communities, the examination of 133 community electrical systems in Yukon, NWT, Nunavut, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador, and the identification of RET projects undertaken between 1980 and 2016, (b) an empirical study in the context of northern Ontario, Canada, and (c) an analysis of events related to the introduction of RETs through, first, the multi-level perspective (MLP) approach to explain the non-linear uptake of RET projects in remote indigenous communities and identify macro- and meso-level factors that influenced the deployment, and, second, the technological innovation system (TIS) approach to examine policy measures and activities in Northwest Territories and Ontario and generate insights on micro-level factors that led to the development of an increased number of mostly solar projects in these provinces between 2009 and 2016. The key findings of the research suggest that the deployment of RET projects was influenced by the institutional complexity of indigenous electrical systems, the diversity of stakeholder perspectives (government, utilities and indigenous peoples) on community electricity generation and the challenges that the introduction of RETs is expected to address, and the uncertainty associated with both the future “long term” structure and governance of provincial and territorial electricity generation systems and the financial viability of small-scale off-grid applications. Furthermore, the shift from utility-driven to community-driven RET projects in the period examined was explained through the interplay between tensions developed from new legislation favouring indigenous aspirations and sustainability concerns, governmental and utility internal stresses expressed through governmental targets and supporting policies for renewable electricity alternatives, and pressures from technological advances. Governments engaged in a dialogue with indigenous people and other participants, which resulted in a policy shift from capital financing to capabilities improvements and network formation, and, finally, to regulatory and financial arrangements supporting indigenous demand for community owned electricity generation. This research contributes to scholarship and provides insights to policy design. First, it improves understanding of the nature of the problem associated with the introduction of RETs into Canadian remote indigenous communities by providing a description of the origins, dynamics, extent, and pattern of transition and the associated technical, contextual, and social complexity. Furthermore, it contributes to the field of sustainability studies by providing research using both the MLP and TIS concepts in the context of remote Canadian indigenous communities and evidence, first, that the proposed complex causal mechanisms were present and performed as predicted, and second, that regional institutional structures and networks (or the lack of them) played an important role in the diffusion of RET projects. Finally, this research suggests that a transition management approach involving the co-development of policies supportive of indigenous aspirations, experimenting and learning, and evaluation and adjustment of policies based on the acquired knowledge, may lead to an increased number of RET projects in remote indigenous communities. Accordingly, policy related recommendations include the need for (a) establishing specific targets, policies, and programs for the reduction of diesel consumption and the introduction of RETs (b) policy development in a collaborative and negotiated way with indigenous people, and (c) effective coordination of interventions for the creation of networks that would improve interactions and learning

Innovations in Distributed Energy Resources

The demand for energy is continuously increasing, but the ability to meet it is becoming challenging. Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) will be key players in the future energy mix. This work considers innovations in DERs, and key factors in their developments. This thesis first presents an analysis of the best options for Canada’s involvement in the offshore wind scene. It compared three different scenarios which considered drivers, barriers, support, incentives, and technology advancements. The most favorable scenario is to export Canadian expertise, as the country’s experience in the offshore oil and gas industry can be transferred to offshore wind projects. Installation in Canadian waters is suggested only after developing further understanding of requirements in similar waters. This research also includes the results and analysis of a 1:150 scaled experimental study on the dynamics of a floating offshore platform model under extreme wind conditions. Four configurations were tested under straight wind (ABL), tornado (TLV), and downburst (DB) conditions. It was observed that motions varied greatly when the platforms were subjected to different wind conditions. In general, the TLV and DB flows caused the greatest instability and loosely moored platforms experienced movements of higher magnitude and frequency than tightly moored ones. A major factor in any new project is the financial aspect and business case associated. The final study completed within this thesis is the generation and analysis of a 30-year financial model of a carbon neutral microgrid. Case and location specific factors are considered as well as non-monetary benefits. Ontario-specific policies and incentives are also discussed, and it is determined that presently, they are a major factor in the feasibility of a large microgrid project such as the one presented here