Main Project Contact:
Matthew Dares
Project Start Date:
2007
Project End Date:
Ongoing
Project Name:
Wind Energy Potential
ARI Team:
Patrick Gall
Overview:
In order to assess the feasibility of using wind energy in communities across the NWT, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) and the Aurora Research Institute (ARI) have been conducting wind energy studies in the NWT for nearly ten years. Wind monitoring programs have been established in several locations in order to provide communities with a clear picture of their local wind resources.
Objectives:
The main research question of this project is, what is the potential of wind energy to meet the power demands of NWT communitites?
Location:
Communities across the NWT
Methods:
There are several stages to developing wind energy in the NWT. ENR and ARI work together to ensure the communities are well-informed and on-board with all project activities. To begin a wind energy investigation, a pre-feasibility study is done using local weather data and computer wind-flow models to predict the average wind speeds in a community, and to identify the best locations for capturing wind energy. If the wind speed estimates look promising and the community wishes, a wind monitoring tower is erected to confirm the computer model's predictions and to collect two full years of wind data.
Each wind monitoring tower is typically 34 or 60 meters tall, and is equipped with sensors for wind speed (anemometers) and direction (weather vane). A small weather station is also attached to the tower to collect temperature readings. A wind monitor is then hired from the community to retrieve the data and maintain the tower. The resulting wind data is then reviewed and incorporated into an economic analysis of implementing a wind energy program. Results and recommendations are presented to the community for review, and if the wind resources are strong enough and a wind project is economically feasible, the community will decide whether or not they wish to pursue wind energy development.
Schedule:
Wind energy assessments are conducted as interest arises.
External Partners:
GNWT Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Keywords:
Wind, Meteorological towers, wind assessment, community power, renewable energy
Project Documents:
REGIONAL
Inuvialuit Region Wind Energy Pre-feasibility Study
Wind Energy Monitoring in Six Communities in the NWT
State of the Art and Economic Viability of Wind Power Development in Arctic Communities
COLVILLE LAKE
Colville Lake Wind Energy Pre-feasibility Study
DELINE
Deline Wind & Solar Energy Pre‐feasibility Analysis Summary
Deline Wind & Solar Energy Pre‐feasibility Analysis
FORT PROVIDENCE
Fort Providence Solar and Wind Summary
Fort Providence Solar and Wind Monitoring Analysis
FORT LIARD
Fort Liard Wind Site Potential
INUVIK
Inuvik Wind Monitoring Update 2016 Inuvik Wind Summary Report: 2015
Inuvik Wind Energy Pre-Feasibility Analysis: 2015
Inuvik Wind Energy Assessment at Storm Hills (2014)
Inuvik Wind Energy Pre‐Feasibility Analysis
Inuvik Wind Energy Pre‐Feasibility Analysis Summary
JEAN MARIE RIVER
Jean Marie River Solar and Wind Summary
Jean Marie River Solar and Wind Monitoring Update
Jean Marie River Wind & Solar Energy Pre‐feasibility Analysis
Jean Marie River Wind & Solar Energy Pre‐feasibility Analysis Summary
LUTSELK'E
Lutselk'e Wind Energy Pre-feasibility Analysis
Lutselk'e Wind Energy Pre-feasibility Analysis Summary
NORMAN WELLS
Norman Wells Wind Energy Pre-feasibility Study
Norman Wells Wind Energy Pre-feasibility Analysis Summary
PAULATUK
Paulatuk Wind Energy Pre-Feasibility Study
2009 Wind Energy Summary Report - Paulatuk
SACHS HARBOUR
Sachs Harbour Wind Energy Pre-Feasibility Study
2009 Wind Energy Summary Report - Sachs Harbour
THOR LAKE
Progress Report for Thor Lake Wind Monitoring – March, 2010
Wind Study for Thor Lake Area - 2009
Progress Report for Thor Lake Wind Monitoring – November, 2010
TROUT LAKE
Trout Lake Wind & Solar Energy Pre‐feasibility Analysis
Trout Lake Wind & Solar Energy Pre‐feasibility Analysis Summary
TUKTOYAKTUK
Wind Monitoring Update for Tuktoyaktuk - Winter 2009
Technical Aspects of a Wind Project for Tuktoyaktuk
2009 Wind Energy Summary Report - Tuktoyaktuk
ULUKHAKTOK
Ulukhaktok Wind Energy Pre-Feasibility Study
2009 Wind Energy Summary Report - Ulukhaktok
WEKWEETI
Wekweeti Wind Energy Pre‐Feasibility Analysis Summary
Wekweeti Wind Energy Pre‐Feasibility Analysis
WHATI
Whati Wind & Solar Energy Pre‐feasibility Analysis Summary
Whati Wind & Solar Energy Pre‐feasibility Analysis
YELLOWKNIFE
Snare Wind Monitoring Update 2016 Potential Wind Farm Locations for the Yellowknife Area
Yellowknife Wind Energy Pre-feasibility Study Yellowknife Area Wind Potential
