Gull Bay First National Microgrid: Opportunities and Challenges Webinar

Indigenous communities in outlying areas left off main electric grids across Canada have been searching for reliable and clean energy resources as an alternative to diesel power for years. For the remote First Nation community in Gull Bay, also known as Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek (KZA), a solar energy-storage microgrid system offered the perfect solution.

The approach uses solar power, battery storage, and automated control technology to provide much-needed electricity to the community. Using natural weather resources and coupling them with energy storage has been a game-changer for a community that values its connection with the land and nature. This webinar will share perspectives from various partners on the project about the unique challenges, the remote location, cold temperatures, existing geotechnical sub-surface conditions, multiple stakeholder engagement, and new technology integration play in the creation of this microgrid, along with how the team used limited time and money to construct this specialty project.

We brought together four experts to discuss and share insights on the project:

• AJ Esquega, Mashkawiziiwin Energy Projects Coordinator at Gull Bay First Nation
• Shawn Bremner, Senior Business Development Engineer at Ontario Power Generation (OPG)
• Kevin Ritzmann, Senior Director at Alltrade Industrial Contractors (a division of Barton Malow Company)
• Justin Rangooni, Executive Director at Energy Storage Canada