In addition to the
generation and distribution of electrical energy, the Power Corporation
also sells heat energy, sells its expertise in the diesel energy generation
field and in the cold climate field, and tests alternate energy sources.
Residual Heat Sales
In many communities
across the North there has been a growing interest in development of
residual heat as a supplement to heating oil for buildings near the
Corporation's power plants. Residual heat projects provide an additional
source of revenue for the Corporation which can be used to stabilize
electrical rates. Residual heat also reduces emissions, the need to
transport and handle diesel fuel and results in more efficient power
plants.
The original plans
for Inuvik included a utilidor system heated by and supplied with a
High Temperature Hot Water system. This system, which called for generation
of hot water for heating, was phased out in 1999. However, the residual
heat concept, which uses the heat created when fuel is turned into electricity,
has gained wide acceptance in the North.
In Fort McPherson,
the Corporation began supplying heat to six customer's buildings in
1997. The system is being expanded to include the recycling of residual
heat from power plant exhaust.
Wind Energy Program
The NWT Power Corporation has several wind turbine projects under way
to test the feasibility of using wind power to provide electricity to
northern communities. Although the turbines have a high capital cost,
the high cost of delivering fuel to remote northern locations makes
turbines a potentially attractive investment.
A single Atlantic
Orient 15/50 (50 kilowatt) turbine is supplying power in Sachs Harbour.
