Assessment of Zero Carbon Hydrogen/Ammonia Based Energy Systems for Northern and Remote Communities in Canada

A techno-economic study is conducted to calculate the levelized cost of energy for a renewable energy driven zero-carbon energy system that utilizes hydrogen as the primary energy carrier and ammonia as a hydrogen carrier for seasonal storage. The case study is for the off-grid Northern & Remote Community of Rankin Inlet located in the Canadian territory of Nunavut. The study is novel as it includes all energy sectors: heating, electricity, and transportation, with a comparison of two different configurations - one with hydrogen/ammonia production on-site, and the second with imported ammonia, both driven by wind energy. The lowest levelized cost of energy is obtained where ammonia is imported and where there is a high penetration of wind energy in the microgrid. The results demonstrate that such a zero-carbon energy system is economically feasible and is a viable option for those off-grid Communities that benefit from a high wind energy potential.