RivGen power system launches at Seven Sisters Falls
Installed in partnership with the Canadian Hydrokinetic Turbine Test Centre (CHTTC) located at Seven Sisters Falls in Manitoba, the RivGen power system will play a key role in supporting Canada’s goal for net-zero emissions by 2050. Without the use of dams or impoundments, the RivGen power system is suitable for providing baseload power for off-grid, remote and Indigenous communities, and industrial applications, while significantly reducing diesel use.
Specifically designed for reliable operation in remote and rural areas where heavy lift equipment and large marine vessels are not always available, the RivGen power system is designed to plug into existing off-grid systems improving reliability or availability of electricity to the community.
Dr. Eric Bibeau, Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Price Faculty of Engineering and a Director at CHTTC says the groundbreaking innovation, which has already shown promising results in remote Alaska, has potential to revolutionize the way we supply clean power to remote communities.
Given the Alaskan system was able to withstand temperatures and conditions harsher than those experienced in Manitoba, Bibeau say he doesn’t expect any complications to arise from testing this winter, and believes the system will resonate with both community and government stakeholders.
“ORPC’s RivGen system has already shown outstanding safety and reliability in Alaska,” said Bibeau. “We look forward to monitoring, testing and validating the system for the Canadian market at the CHTTC. We are confident that this deployment will accelerate awareness and acceptance among community leaders and policy makers.”
Over the coming months, the RivGen power system in Manitoba will be monitored, tested, and validated for further deployment in Canada.