Electrified Transportation, Emergency Power, and Microgrid Design for Indigenous, Remote, and Local Communities

Summary

This project explores integrated solutions for sustainable transportation and energy in Indigenous, remote, and northern communities. While some communities operate microgrids that reduce carbon emissions, transportation remains fossil-fuel based. The project will assess hybrid and electric vehicle options suitable for cold climates. Issues such as range extension, reliability, maintainability, recycling, and heating using novel solar-powered heat pump systems will be examined. The potential of EVs as emergency power sources will also be evaluated. In parallel, standardized utility-grade microgrid reference designs will be developed, incorporating renewables, energy storage, demand response, and electric vehicles to improve reliability and reduce diesel reliance. The project includes an equity-focused study, examining how EV design intersects with gender, Indigeneity, and socioeconomic factors in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 5. By addressing transportation, power resilience, and social inclusion together, this research aims to develop scalable transportation and energy solutions that respond to the unique needs of indigenous, remote and northern communities.