Turboden Contributes to Grid Independence for First Nation Community
Italy-based company Turboden S.p.A., a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group Company, had a role in achieving grid independence for the remote community of Opitciwan in Canada.
Using a 4.8 MWe ORC biomass power plant, the company – a worldwide leader in Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology – contributed to a Biomass Cogeneration Plant Project, supported by Hydro-Quebec and owned by the Conseil des Atikamekw Opitciwan. “The Opitciwan community, a proud First Nation, has long sought a sustainable and reliable energy solution to replace their outdated diesel generators,” Turboden reported. Its ORC technology offers a solution, utilizing local wood residues such as bark and sawdust as primary fuel. “This biomass is combusted in a thermal oil boiler, generating heat that is transferred via a closed thermal oil loop to the ORC turbo-generator, producing clean electricity for the community.” The technology would allow the community to be independent from the grid to produce electricity for local consumption. Still, it can generate excess electricity beyond its consumption and sell it through PPA (Power Purchase Agreement).
(Published in GLOBAL RECYCLING Magazine 3/2024, Page 10)
