Investigation into the viability of replacing internal combustion diesel generators with diesel fired stirling engine generators for remote microwave radio telecommunication applications

Northwestel is a Canadian based telecommunication company operating over 100 “prime-power” systems supporting a microwave radio and fiber optic telecommunication network spanning Canada´s North, encompassing some of the most rugged and sparsely populated geography on earth. The operation and maintenance (O&M) of the network involves significant expense due to its remoteness. Access to approx 40% of the sites for quarterly maintenance and fuel delivery is via helicopter, which is very costly. Small scale 10-15 kW diesel generators along with battery storage, is the system of choice for providing “off grid” power requirements. This arrangement has supplied the remote site energy needs for many years, while assuring an incredibly high level of reliability. Northwestel has incrementally reduced its O&M costs at remote sites by increasing system efficiencies. However, decreasing availability of new system efficiencies combined with aging infrastructure has prompted Northwestel to examine a broader range of technology options for the power and heat production. In partnership with the Cold Climate Innovation Center (CCIC), a division of the Yukon Research Center, Northwestel is investigating alternative methods for power generation. The Stirling engine is a promising and maturing technology, and is being considered for remote site energy/heat requirements.