Lynn Lau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Mar 08/02) - Diesel remains the fuel of choice in the North because of the constraints of operating in remote communities with extreme conditions, a representative of Northwest Territories Power Corp. told delegates at a recent alternative energy workshop.

"Everything we're doing here together is great, but at the end of the day, if what you want is reliable and cheap power, the simple and best solution is still diesel," said Gerd Sandrock, director of business development.

He said alternatives to traditional power generation often involve complex devices that require specially-trained technicians for service, while diesel generators are simple, easily maintained, and relatively reliable at extreme temperatures.

"Whatever we do, whether we develop hydro, wind power, or micro-turbines, what's the back-up? It's still diesel."

Sandrock noted that the power corporation's recent foray into wind power did not go as well as planned. In Sachs Harbour, and Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, the public utility started a pilot program with wind turbines. At both locations, the turbines provided far less electricity than expected, and proved to be costly to maintain.

In Sachs Harbour, the pilot project came to an abrupt halt in June 2001, when the tower fell down during maintenance. Technicians supplied by the maker of the wind turbine had apparently been trying to lower the tower for maintenance when a cable snapped. The turbine cost $400,000 to install but operated for only 14 months.

The corporation's experience with wind power has made it less enthusiastic to get directly involved in new alternative energy projects, and Sandrock noted the Crown corporation does not have a budget for research and development.

"We continue to investigate alternative energy solutions including wind power, but we need to share the risks more with the federal government, GNWT, and especially private enterprise," he said.

Sandrock was one of the 35 delegates attending the two-day workshop organized by the Aurora Research Institute Feb. 25 and 26. Speakers included representatives from utility companies, government and environmental groups.

During the same panel discussion, Chuck Szmurlo of Enbridge Inc. in Calgary had encouraging words for the research institute's bid to bring new fuel cell technology to the North.

Speaking about his company's research into fuel cells for home use, Szmurlo said Inuvik would be a good place to conduct field testing.

"If it would work in Inuvik, it would work anywhere under difficult conditions," Szmurlo said.

The research institute's manager of technology development, Bak Chauhan, is trying to start a pilot program using the hydrogen-powered fuel cells to heat and power homes without emissions.