Does Greenland have a self-contained energy system?

But as HARMEET BAWA writes, due to the self-contained nature of Greenland communities, each town generates its own energy and distributes it via a micro-power grid and local district heating network. This article originally appeared in The Circle 03.15.

How does Greenland generate energy?

This article originally appeared in The Circle 03.15. HISTORICALLY, this energy has been generated in Greenland by diesel-driven power plants, which require costly imports of fossil fuel and are the biggest single contributor to the island’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Does ABB supply electricity to Greenland?

This is the third complete power and automation solution that ABB has supplied for Greenland’s ongoing push to renewable energy. In 2010, ABB supplied a similar solution for a new 15 MW hydropower plant that supplies Sisimiut, the island’s second largest town, with clean electric power.

How much of Greenland's electricity is generated by emission-free hydropower?

Prior to that in 2007, ABB completed the delivery and commissioning of the communication and control system for the 9 MW Qorlortorsuaq hydropower plant. As a result of these and other hydropower projects, almost 70 percent of Greenland’s electricity is now generated by emission-free hydropower.

Should Greenland replace its diesel power plants with hydropower plants?

In recent years, however, Greenland has been replacing its diesel power plants with hydropower plants – using its vast resources of glacial meltwater to generate lower cost hydropower and reduce the country’s fuel imports and greenhouse gas emissions.

Are Greenland communities self-contained?

Most of these communities are accessible only by boat or airplane during the summer and by dog sled in winter. But as HARMEET BAWA writes, due to the self-contained nature of Greenland communities, each town generates its own energy and distributes it via a micro-power grid and local district heating network.