NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: physical sciences, atmospheric sciences, economic feasibility, wind monitoring

Objective(s): The objective of this wind monitoring project is to quantify the wind energy potential for the economic feasibility of building a wind farm in Tuktoyaktuk, a remote community that is dependant on diesel-electric generation.

Project Description: The objective of this wind monitoring project is to quantify the wind energy potential for the economic feasibility of building a wind farm in Tuktoyaktuk, a remote community that is dependant on diesel-electric generation. This proposed project will involve four main activities: 1) Consultation with the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk to identify the optimum wind turbine location. New monitoring sites have been suggested and the site will be selected in consultation with both the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk and NavCan. 2) Relocation of current wind monitoring station to the new site: The tower relocation and instrumentation will be lead by the project engineer who has conducted all of the wind tower installations in the ISR to date. The project engineer will be assisted by two technicians from the Aurora Research Institute and one community member (the wind monitor) to install and maintain wind monitoring equipment. 3) Install additional wind equipment at the new wind monitoring site: The newly relocated wind tower will require additional instrumentation including calibrated anemometers and heated sensors. 4) Monitoring and Reporting. The Tuktoyaktuk wind monitor will visit the wind tower site monthly and maintain the monitoring site equipment. Data files are downloaded monthly. Reporting and data management will be maintained by the Aurora Research Institute staff in conjunction with the project engineer. The results from this study will be compiled in a report which will be posted on the Aurora Research Institute website. Copies of the report will be distributed to the Tuktoyaktuk community organizations including the Hamlet, THTC, TCC and TDC as well as IRC and the Joint Secretariat. Fieldwork will be conducted from August 1 to December 31, 2007 on sites located within the municipal boundaries of Tuktoyaktuk.