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Alternative heating systems for northern remote communities: Techno-economic analysis of ground-coupled heat pumps in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, Canada

Author

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  • Gunawan, Evelyn
  • Giordano, Nicolò
  • Jensson, Páll
  • Newson, Juliet
  • Raymond, Jasmin

Abstract

Nunavik is a subarctic remote region covering the northern third of Québec, Canada, where low efficiency and environmentally adverse diesel furnaces are currently used to meet residential heating demand. Studies focusing on building heating alternatives in subarctic climate are limited and hence, this work can help with the development of such systems in remote off-grid communities. Shallow geothermal potential was mapped for Kuujjuaq, the largest village in Nunavik. Four ground-coupled heat pump scenarios were analysed for a simulated 5-occupant residential dwelling, with heating needs of 71 MWh/year. Resulting maps show a relatively high ground potential for such cold region, ranging between 5.8 MWh/year and 22.9 MWh/year per borehole for heat exchanger lengths of 100 m–300 m. A 50-year life-cycle cost analysis of such systems reveal that a compression heat pump with electricity derived from solar photovoltaic panels has a net present cost as low as approximately CAD$179,000, representing the most economically attractive heating option in Kuujjuaq as compared to the currently subsidized, diesel furnace heating at CAD$277,000. This work verifies that shallow geothermal energy through state-of-the-art heat pumps is a financially interesting option in Kuujjuaq. Results can be extended to similar subarctic settings in Canada and worldwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Gunawan, Evelyn & Giordano, Nicolò & Jensson, Páll & Newson, Juliet & Raymond, Jasmin, 2020. "Alternative heating systems for northern remote communities: Techno-economic analysis of ground-coupled heat pumps in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, Canada," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P1), pages 1540-1553.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:147:y:2020:i:p1:p:1540-1553
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.09.039
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Maranghi, Florian & Gosselin, Louis & Raymond, Jasmin & Bourbonnais, Martin, 2023. "Modeling of solar-assisted ground-coupled heat pumps with or without batteries in remote high north communities," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 484-498.
    2. Alshehri, Faisal & Beck, Stephen & Ingham, Derek & Ma, Lin & Pourkashanian, Mohammed, 2021. "Sensitivity analysis of a vertical geothermal heat pump system in a hot dry climate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 785-801.
    3. Nicola Massarotti & Alessandro Mauro & Gennaro Normino & Laura Vanoli & Clara Verde & Vincenzo Allocca & Domenico Calcaterra & Silvio Coda & Pantaleone De Vita & Cesare Forzano & Adolfo Palombo & Paol, 2021. "Innovative Solutions to Use Ground-Coupled Heat Pumps in Historical Buildings: A Test Case in the City of Napoli, Southern Italy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-22, January.
    4. Al Saedi, A.Q. & Sharma, P. & Kabir, C.S., 2021. "A novel cyclical wellbore-fluid circulation strategy for extracting geothermal energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    5. Mafalda M. Miranda & Jasmin Raymond & Chrystel Dezayes, 2020. "Uncertainty and Risk Evaluation of Deep Geothermal Energy Source for Heat Production and Electricity Generation in Remote Northern Regions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-35, August.
    6. Biglarian, Hassan & Abdollahi, Sina, 2022. "Utilization of on-grid photovoltaic panels to offset electricity consumption of a residential ground source heat pump," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).

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