IceGrid is a method to easily deploy renewable electricity generation and provide inexpensive energy autonomy to off-grid communities.
Here’s how it works: First, wind energy is captured with turbines and converted to electricity. Because wind speeds are constantly changing, the electricity is stored in an array of batteries protected in a warehouse from extreme cold. Finally, the stored energy is transmitted to homes and businesses reliably, as needed. This approach is inherently scalable. As a community grows, it simply adds batteries to the array to meet demand. Furthermore, IceGrid infrastructure can be quickly replicated in any community -- big or small -- that desires clean, reliable energy. |
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Over the past 15 years, renewable energy technology has been improving at a rapid pace, to a point where, today, it is now cheaper to use renewables like wind than fossil fuels like diesel to power communities. As well, battery technology is sufficiently advanced to enable consistent power flow to homes and businesses from what are otherwise unpredictable sources.
Right now, much of Nunavut’s annual budget is spent on energy, and much of this is in the form of subsidizing electricity generation - to the tune of $36.5 million every year. That’s $1,015 per person, per year. With this in mind, an ideal location to pilot IceGrid and demonstrate its capabilities is Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut. |
Transforming canada |
a clean energy superpower |
IceGrid is not just a power plant; it’s a transformation in the way we think about energy in Canada, and the benefits are wide-ranging. Replacing diesel with wind reduces the burden on taxpayers; eliminates greenhouse gases and other toxic emissions; and ends communities’ reliance on external fuel sources.
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The planning and development of IceGrid infrastructure in multiple communities will create and sustain jobs in the renewable energy sector. This is a sector with a global growth trajectory, and by scaling IceGrid across our country, Canada will finally position itself as a true clean energy superpower.
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