NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Tags: physical sciences, renewable energy, atmospheric sciences, engineering, economic potential, wind energy, wind monitoring

Objective(s): To continue to measure the wind energy potential at the Inuvik High Point.

Project Description: The objective of this wind monitoring proposal is to continue to measure the wind energy potential at the Inuvik High Point (approximately 6 km northeast of the Inuvik airport). This is part of an alternative energy study for the Inuvik area. Two full years of wind measurements and an economic analysis will be necessary to confirm the wind energy potential at the Inuvik High Point site. The study was started in 2014, but the tower collapsed before data collection was completed. More recent issues with icing and power supply reliability have meant that continued measurement is needed collect a complete 2 year data set. 1) The continued operation of a wind tower and wind monitoring equipment at the High Point monitoring site. The wind monitoring equipment includes a 60m tower with anemometers (a sensor that measures wind speed and force) that will be positioned at 40m, 50m and 60m. All anemometers will be calibrated prior to installation. Other sensors will include a wind vane and temperature sensors. 2) Wind monitoring data collection, analysis and reporting. Data files will be transmitted via a satellite link, Global Systems for Mobile Communications (GSM) 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. Local northerners will be involved in the upkeep, and take-down of this wind monitoring equipment. Inuvik residents will benefit from the data collected and the resulting wind energy feasibility study that will follow, once wind estimates have been verified for the site. 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 June 15, 2018 to December 31, 2018.