The Gesgapegiag community’s leadership shines in the heart of the Gaspé Peninsula

 

A must-see destination on Route 299, which runs through Gaspésie National Park, and a well-known stop for outdoor enthusiasts and snowmobilers, the Relais de la Cache is also making a name for itself for its innovations in renewable energy.

Since the summer of 2021, thanks to a microgrid comprising a solar farm of 108 solar panels installed with the help of Nergica, this tourist complex, operated by the Gesgapegiag Mi’gmaq community, has been powered by green electricity.Le Relais de la Cache and its solar farm

Photo: Radio-Canada / Isabelle Larose

 

An Investment in a Greener Future

 

Due to its remote location, the Relais de la Cache cannot be connected to the Hydro-Québec grid. That is why, until very recently, it relied on fossil fuels for power. The microgrid, comprising three solar photovoltaic installations with a total capacity of 43.7 kW, is expected to meet 80 to 100 percent of the complex’s energy needs, which will result in a reduction in its diesel consumption of 10,000 to 12,000 liters per year. This represents a reduction in CO₂ emissions of 27,000 to 32,000 kg₂ which will thus be avoided annually. The panels are positioned to capture sunlight from sunrise to sunset. The microgrid is also equipped with a lithium-ion battery storage system totaling 307 kWh, which guarantees two days of electricity autonomy.

A thermal storage system has also been integrated into the microgrid. It consists of two boilers—one powered by propane and the other by electricity—that provide heat and hot water to meet the building’s needs. One of the unique features of the Relais de la Cache installation is the presence of two integrated networks: an electrical network and a thermal network. According to Mauricio Higuita Cano, project manager at Nergica, this is a one-of-a-kind project in the Gaspé Peninsula.

In cases of absolute necessity, two propane generators can meet the electricity demand and charge the batteries if the solar system is no longer sufficient.Diagram of the microgrid installed at the Relais de la Cache.

 

A technological innovation driven by the community

Concerned about its environmental footprint and aware of the harmful effects of diesel generators on the environment, the Gesgapegiag community has partnered with Nergica to transition to renewable energy. Estimated at $1.3 million, this project was carried out with support from Natural Resources Canada and the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Institute for Sustainable Development. Nergica is supporting the Gesgapegiag community with the technical aspects of the project, specifically the design, construction, and installation of the microgrid.

 

A pioneer and model of innovation

 

Through this project, Gesgapegiag aims to develop its expertise in clean energy production and energy efficiency. The community hopes that the integration of renewable energy at the Relais de la Cache will become a model that can be replicated by other First Nations as well as at off-grid sites across Canada. “I want other communities in Quebec or even across Canada, when they see this […], to say, ‘Wow! We can do that, too,’” said Bonnie Jerome, an economic development staff member at Gesgapegiag, to on Radio-Canada.

It was precisely to expand their knowledge that community members participated in all phases of the project. Nergica will also train community members so they can take ownership of the various system components in the management and operation of the microgrid. On this topic, Pierre Beaudoin, a project manager at Nergica who also worked on this installation, explains that about twenty people took part in this initiative and thereby acquired technical skills. Gesgapegiag will be able to share its knowledge and advise other communities on how to integrate renewable energy into their local settings. Gesgapegiag and Nergica are already engaged in knowledge transfer and mobilizing other communities to replace diesel generators with green alternatives. For example, Bonnie Jerome and the Nergica team presented the technical solutions available to isolated communities, as well as the lessons learned during the Relais de la Cache project over the course of the conference organized by the Institute for Sustainable Development of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (IDDPNQL) in February 2021.Bonnie Jerome speaks highly of the quality of the relationship and collaboration with Nergica's project managers.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Isabelle Larose

 

Ongoing Research Project

 

Measuring instruments for collecting meteorological, production, and consumption data have also been integrated into the facilities. Thanks to this equipment, it will be possible to develop a smart controller capable of anticipating energy demand and solar energy production based on forecasting models. The goal of this research project, stemming from the installation of the microgrid at Relais de la Cache, is to achieve the highest possible penetration rate of renewable energy and to ensure optimal management of the battery and thermal storage system.Installation of the solar farm at Relais de la Cache.

Photo: https://marlac.ca/en

 

A premier tourist destination nestled in an idyllic setting, a must-see for travelers, and now a technological marvel and ecological model for other communities, the Relais de la Cache will continue to be the talk of the town!

The installation of the Relais de la Cache microgrid was the subject of a Radio-Canada article, which can be viewed here and a news segment that can be watch or listened to.