Wind Energy | Ramea Island

Wind-Hydrogen-Diesel on Ramea Island

A wind-hydrogen-diesel energy system is being developed and installed in the off-grid community of Ramea Island, Newfoundland. When completed, it is expected that this state-of-the-art project, which is unique to Canada, will allow the shutting down of all diesel generators on Ramea Island during periods of low energy demand. This will allow the power utility (Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro) to provide its customers with clean wind power, either directly via wind turbines, or from stored hydrogen, created by using excess wind-generated electricity.

It is expected that the system will be commissioned in 2009 and will undergo performance monitoring further research and development following its commissioning.
The electrical grid of Ramea Island, which currently relies on diesel and wind power, will incorporate a hydrogen storage and generator system. In this isolated power system, hydrogen will be produced from water electrolysis when the wind power output exceeds the load. The hydrogen gas will be accumulated in storage tanks. When the power output from the wind turbines is not sufficient to meet the community load, the stored hydrogen will power a generator which will provide electricity to the community.

The system is made up of the following components:

• Control System - This must be compatible with each component’s control system and with the existing wind-diesel control system  
• Wind Turbines - It is planned that the project will add three new wind turbines to supplement the existing ones. This wind capacity will contribute towards the goal of meeting 100% of the Island’s electrical demand with clean sources in certain circumstances  
• Hydrogen Electrolyzer and Storage - A hydrogen electrolyzer will convert the electricity generated by the wind turbines into hydrogen which will be stored at the site in vessels  
• Hydrogen Powered Generator - A 250 kW generator (consisting of internal combustion engines driving synchronous generators) will convert the stored hydrogen into electricity

The project is being led by Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro , with support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency , the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador , and from Natural Resources Canada .
Additional partners include Memorial University , the University of New Brunswick , and Frontier Power Systems.
Additional resources:
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro news release announcing the project .
For further information, please contact us.