To undertake a renewable energy project
Where to start?
Identifying the main reasons why we want renewable energyᓄᑕᐅᓯᓕᕈᓐᓇᑐᒥᒃ ᐃᑯᒪᓕᐅᕐᓂᖅ – Energy derived from natural processes that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed, such as solar or wind energy. in our communities is essential – whether to replace diesel, reduce pollution, produce electricity or clean heat, reduce our environmental footprint and even improve health.
The importance of a community energy plan
Each community needs to draw up a community energy plan to identify the type of project that best meets their needs. The project must be technically feasible and meet the electric and thermal energy needs of the community while respecting the development vision, population, and environment.
Community Engagement is necessary at all steps of a project!
Community engagement
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Engineering studies
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Socio-environment impacts studies and permitting
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Business plan and project financing
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Power purchase agreement negociation and creation of energy board
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Procurement and construction
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Operation until end of life and
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Before we start
Understand the energy portrait
2-4 months
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Assemble and energy project team
1-2 months
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER
12-24 months
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Create an energy vision
6 months
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Assess energy needs
6-12 months
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Final details before we start
Prefeasibility
4-6 months
- Identify renewable energyᓄᑕᐅᓯᓕᕈᓐᓇᑐᒥᒃ ᐃᑯᒪᓕᐅᕐᓂᖅ – Energy derived from natural processes that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed, such as solar or wind energy. technologies and potential projects
- Compare the different potential sites
- Prioritize potential projects based on community vision, profitability, social acceptability, and environmental impacts
- Estimate the overall energy potential of interesting projects
- Roughly estimate the costs and profitability of the project
- Make the decision to continue the project or abandon it
Project's business case
Feasibility
6-12 months
- Select potential sites where renewable energyᓄᑕᐅᓯᓕᕈᓐᓇᑐᒥᒃ ᐃᑯᒪᓕᐅᕐᓂᖅ – Energy derived from natural processes that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed, such as solar or wind energy. technologies will be installed
- Characterize the energy potential (e.g. measure solar radiation for a solar project, measure wind speed and direction for a wind project)
- Calculate the physical space taken up by the installation
- More accurately estimate the costs and profitability of the project
- Make the decision to continue the project or abandon it
Environmental planning (Study)
6-12 months
- Conduct an environmental study to determine possible impacts on flora and fauna
- Create and have approved a mitigation plan if required following the environmental study
- Adapt and adjust the project as needed
Once the project has started
Environmental planning (Permit)
12-24 months
- Obtain the construction and operating permits required by law: local and municipal permits, provincial permits, federal permits
Conception
12-24 months
- Choose the infrastructures and equipment that meet energy needs (type of wind turbine, model of solar panelᐃᑯᒪᐅᑎᑐᕈᑏᑦ ᑲᓱᕐᕕᖓ / ᐱᑐᕝᕕᖓ – A panel designed to absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity., etc.)
- Create the electrical plans for the entire project
Engineering
12-24 months
- Get design documents approved
- Create the plans issued for construction by and engineering company
Supply and transport
12-24 months
- Order and transport the necessary materials for the construction of the project
Construction
12-24 months
- Obtain the building permit from the competent authorities
- Build the facility
Commissioning and operation and maintenance
12-24 months
- Perform physical inspection
- System component testing
- Overall system testing
- Turn on renewable energyᓄᑕᐅᓯᓕᕈᓐᓇᑐᒥᒃ ᐃᑯᒪᓕᐅᕐᓂᖅ – Energy derived from natural processes that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed, such as solar or wind energy. infrastructure
- Maintain the site and its infrastructure
- Replace worn parts
- Etc.
Continuous monitoring
Necessary verifications (Due diligence)
3-6 months
- Identify possible risks
- Find opportunities to maximize return
Several authorizations and permits are required
Building a clean energy project is a complex ; it’s a step-by-step feat. All the step are meant to protect our people and our environment. Strict environmental, safety, and public health standards must be met for all new projects. Projects in northern environments must reduce environmental risks as far as possible (noise pollution, habitat modification, impacts on avian fauna, water and soil pollution, etc.).
Cares framework
5 factors to explain community member support and opposition of sustainable energy technologies.
- Community familiarity and understanding
- Association with previous projects
- Relationship with culture and sustenance
- Endogeneity of resources
- Security
3 years minimum
Size, complexity, permits, partners involved, financing, environmental studies, and technology type – they all influence the time needed to complete a project.
2 complicating factors
In remote areas, equipment supply is very difficult, which means high costs. The climate also complicates equipment installation, operation, and maintenance.
How can we accelerate the process?
- Mobilize community players
- Ask questions
- Surround yourself with trustworthy experts
- Promote the positive impacts of Clean Energy projects
- Participate in community engagement
How can Tarquti help communities?
Tarquti can help communities in different ways by supporting them through the process of creating a renewable energyᓄᑕᐅᓯᓕᕈᓐᓇᑐᒥᒃ ᐃᑯᒪᓕᐅᕐᓂᖅ – Energy derived from natural processes that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed, such as solar or wind energy. project
Training, workshops and knowledge transfer
Financial support and grants
Expertise in manpower and external resources
Open collaboration with Hydro-Quebec
Spread the information
Download the poster!
The best way to educate yourself and become aware of a cause is to talk about it! Download the poster and share it with your friends and colleagues !
Sources
Wind Project Development: Best practices in Indigenous and Public Engagement, https://renewablesassociation.ca
How to build a solar farm, https://blog.arcadia.com/how-to-build-a-solar-farm/
Solar farm timeline, https://www.3ne.ca/3ne-solar-farm/timeline/
How long does it take to build a run-of-river power plant?, https://aqper.com/fr/combien-de-temps-requiert-la-construction-dune-petite-centrale-au-fil-de-leau-5
Closing of financing for the Innavik hydroelectric project in Inukjuak, Quebec, https://www.innergex.com/fr/cloture-du-financement-de-innavik/
Innavik project, https://www.innergex.com/fr/installations/innavik/
Arctic community energy planning and implementation, https://gwichincouncil.com/sites/default/files/v1-2-ACEPI-toolkit-Sept2019.pdf
Perform a photovoltaic feasibility study, https://www.sunvie.eu/missions-photovoltaique/etude-de-faisabilite/
Pre-feasibility study; purpose of the pre-feasibility study, https://www.photovoltaique.info/fr/preparer-un-projet/quelles-demarches-realiser/choisir-son-modele-economique/#tab-content
Clean energy: A positive economic solution according to Nunavimmiut, https://tarquti.ca/clean-energy-a-positive-economic-solution-according-to-nunavimmiut/
https://tarquti.ca/
Canada supports Tarquti Energy to enable Inuit to take charge of Nunavik’s energy transition, https://www.canada.ca/fr/ressources-naturelles-canada/nouvelles/2023/02/le-canada-soutient-les-energies-tarquti-pour-permettre-aux-inuit-de-prendre-en-charge-la-transition-energetique-du-nunavik.html
Clean energy in indigenous, rural and remote communities, https://www.canada.ca/fr/services/environnement/meteo/changementsclimatiques/plan-climatique/reduire-emissions/reduire-dependance-diesel.html
https://nergica.com/
6 project development fundamentals all developers should know, https://www.leveltenenergy.com/post/project-development-essentials
The five-steps process framework for project development, https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2015/08/f25/5-Step%20Project%20Development%20Overview.pdf
How to take a renewable project from planning to construction, https://www.trccompanies.com/insights/part-4-how-to-take-a-renewable-project-from-planning-to-construction/
Waves of change, https://climateinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ICE-report-ENGLISH-FINAL.pdf
Environment, https://www.cisss-cotenord.gouv.qc.ca/sante-publique/environnement/
Environmental assessment of northerm projects, https://www.environnement.gouv.qc.ca/evaluations/mil-nordique/index.htm
What wind power critics who cry ‘bird’ get wrong, https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/wind-power-turbines-birds-danger.htm
Renewable energyᓄᑕᐅᓯᓕᕈᓐᓇᑐᒥᒃ ᐃᑯᒪᓕᐅᕐᓂᖅ – Energy derived from natural processes that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed, such as solar or wind energy. projects in Nunavik: Community participation as a key to success
Wind turbine arrives in Inuvik, https://www.nnsl.com/news/wind-turbine-arrives-in-inuvik/
Towards a conceptual framework for understanding community support of sustainable energies in NunatuKavut, Labrador, https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/bitstream/handle/10012/16785/sustainability-12-06050.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Environmental stewardship, https://vitrinelinguistique.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/fiche-gdt/fiche/8350271/gerance-de-lenvironnement
