Wind Energy Monitoring at Yellowknife (2015-2017)
Principal Investigator: Trimble, Annika EV (34)
Licence Number: 16001
Organization: Aurora Research Institute
Licensed Year(s): 2017 2016 2015
Issued: Dec 19, 2016

Objective(s): To measure the wind energy potential at CN Hill (approximately 130 km from Yellowknife) for two years.

Project Description: The objective of this wind monitoring proposal is to measure the wind energy potential at CN Hill (approximately 130 km from Yellowknife) for two years. This is part of an alternative energy study for the Yellowknife area. Wind data will be collected using instruments that measure wind speed, direction, and temperature. At CN Hill, the sensors will be installed on an existing Northwestel Tower. Two full years of wind measurements and an economic analysis will be necessary to confirm the wind energy potential for the site and the surrounding area. Installation of wind monitoring equipment at the proposed monitoring sites will be led by the project engineer, who has conducted all wind tower installations in the NWT to date and has been working on wind monitoring projects with ARI since 2004. The engineer will be supported by local technicians from Public Works and Northwestel. CN HILL: Anemometers, a wind vane, and a temperature sensor will be installed on the upper portion of a pre-existing Northwestel communications tower by the project engineer and Northwestel staff. Wind monitoring data collection, analysis and reporting. Data files will be transmitted via a satellite link, and downloaded remotely by the project engineer and technician. Reporting and data management will be the responsibility of both the project engineer and technician. Data will be collected from the wind tower for a period of two years. All data will be stored at Aurora Research Institute (ARI), and analyzed by the project engineer. The results from this work will be compiled into a wind analysis report which will be posted on the Aurora Research Institute website (www.nwtresearch.com). Copies of the report will also be distributed to nearby community organizations and project partners, and a plain language report will be distributed to community members. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017.