The Role of Electric Snowmobiles and Rooftop Energy Production in the Arctic: The Case of Longyearbyen

Abstract

The research presented here has been conducted in the Smart Charge project. It has addressed the use of renewables, e-mobility and battery charging in the Arctic as part of an effort to solicit fossil-fuelled alternatives. Of particular interest has been to determine what impact and support electric snowmobiles can provide together with local, renewable energy production. The relevance of vehicle-togrid/ building (V2G/B) solutions have been investigated in the project too. The idea has been to use electric snowmobiles for load shaving during extensive periods of the year. The research has looked at cost aspects, value stacking, climate impact as well as aggregated effects of controlled fleet management of idle snowmobiles. A case study undertaken at Longyearbyen at Svalbard, Norway has provided the most important empirical basis for the research presented. The research concludes that electric snowmobiles can have a positive effect on the local energy system and despite limited range can be quite attractive for the individual to operate if energy for charging is based on local driving solar power.