What energy sources are used in the Arctic?

Electricity generation and installed capacity In the remote Arctic the most commonly used energy sources for electricity generation are diesel, followed by several mature renewable energy technologies such as hydropower, wind power, and photo voltaic (PV) power. In Section 3.2 the technologies used to harness energy are discussed in more detail.

Are Arctic communities dependent on diesel?

Up to 79% of Arctic communities included in this study were, at the time of this study exclusively dependent on diesel as a primary energy source, with 6% of communities using hydropower systems, and 15% using hybrid systems for their energy (see Fig. 5). Hybrid systems are those systems that use fossil fuels mixed with renewables .

How does oil price affect electricity prices in Arctic communities?

It is likely that this drop in the oil price had an effect on the fuel cost in Arctic communities, and that this resulted in lower electricity prices. For example, in Hoonah, Alaska, the price of electricity fell from 65 USD ¢/kWh in 2013, to 53 USD ¢/kWh in 2018 as the data collection shows. 3. Energy technologies and socio-economic impact 3.1.

Is wind energy available in the Arctic?

Wind is a widespread energy source in the Arctic, with a high potential in coastal areas [56, 57]. Wind potential is available throughout the year with seasonal variations. Wind energy can be harnessed using wind turbines and analysis (eg. Refs. [32, 33]) has shown that a number of installed wind turbines can be found in the Arctic.

Does Nukissiorfiit provide access to energy data in Greenland?

In the case of Greenland, Nukissiorfiit, Greenland’s national energy company, provided access to its databases and the required information on most Greenlandic communities. In Alaska and Canada, however, numerous small utility companies provide electricity to different communities, and therefore gaining direct access to their data was not possible.

Why is energy security important in the Arctic?

Energy security is critical for Arctic inhabitants, with affordability and availability being central elements to the well-being of local communities. Further investigation is needed to support the transition towards a more sustainable energy future in the Arctic.