NSERC Canadian Wind Energy Strategic Network (WESNet)

WESNet is funded under the NSERC Strategic Network Grants (SNG) Program which focuses on high-level strategic target areas of national importance with the following goals:  Create knowledge and expertise that can most effectively be attained through large- scale multidisciplinary research projects  Cultivate collaboration between university-based researchers and Canadian-based private sector and public organizations  Transfer knowledge and expertise to Canadian-based organizations  Train highly qualified personnel (HQP)  Provide social and/or economic benefits to Canada Wind energy research conducted elsewhere has only limited application in Canada where we must deal with such concerns as icing events, heavy snow loads, inadequate wind forecasting techniques, and minimal data on local and regional wind resources. Consequently, an urgent need exists in Canada for a multi-disciplinary team to conduct large-scale, strategic R&D that will catalyze the Canadian wind sector and place Canada at the forefront of international wind energy production, research and innovation. NSERC Strategic Networks Program Overview

WESNet Overview The Wind Energy Strategic Network (WESNet) is a 5-year Canada wide research network funded by NSERC and institutional partners. The network is a strong partnership comprised of top researchers from universities across Canada with a broad spectrum of wind related expertise:  Dispatchable Distributed General Networks  Wind Power Penetration in Power Systems  Nordic Environment Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines  Power Electronic Converter System for Direct-Drive Wind Power Systems  Power Electronic Converters for Hybrid Wind Power and Energy Storage The network will train over 150 Ph.D., M.Sc., and undergrad students over the 5 years. As well, the network has the benefit of supporting partners from the wind industry sector, wind institutes and associations, power companies and government.

WESNet Partners BC Gov’t. UVic BC Gov’t. UVic Helimax Wind Energy TechnoCentre Hydro Quebec ETS Ecole Polytechnique McGill Laval INRS UQAC UQAR Helimax Wind Energy TechnoCentre Hydro Quebec ETS Ecole Polytechnique McGill Laval INRS UQAC UQAR CanWEA Ryerson Waterloo UofT UWO CanWEA Ryerson Waterloo UofT UWO Atlantic Hydrogen NBSO UdeM UNB Atlantic Hydrogen NBSO UdeM UNB Manitoba Hydro UMan Manitoba Hydro UMan Sask Power WEICan Nalcor MUN Nalcor MUN All of Canada: NRCan Environment Canada All of Canada: NRCan Environment Canada

WESNet Objectives Wind Energy is the world’s fastest growing energy source. The environmental, economic and social benefits of wind energy are particularly significant today given the mounting evidence linking greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.  Develop innovative solutions to key technical issues facing the wind industry, particularly cold climate issues;  Empower the Canadian wind manufacturing sector to become an international player;  Address the growing needs for highly qualified personnel in the wind energy sector; and  Promote wind energy as an economically competitive and environmentally beneficial supplement to energy portfolios.

Theme 2 Leader École de technologie supérieure, Montréal, QC University of Toronto Toronto, ON Theme 4 Leader University of Victoria Victoria, BC Theme 1 Leader Université de Moncton Moncton, NB Scientific CommitteePrincipal Investigator University of New Brunswick Fredericton, NB Outreach Committee McGill University Montreal, QC Board of Directors Frontier Power Systems Helimax WESNet PI NRCanada, Observer Hydro Quebec Wind Energy TechnoCentre NSERC Can Wind Energy Association Wind Energy Institute of Canada New Brunswick System Operator Rockwell Automation Canada RISØ DTU WESNet Organization Network Manager University of New Brunswick Principal Investigator and Theme Leaders Theme 3 Leader

Research Overview WESNet programs include multidisciplinary R&D spanning the entire value chain of wind energy in a Canadian setting involving 17 research projects (35 sub- projects) across 4 thematic areas Theme 1: Wind Resource Assessment Wind Resource Assessment and Forecasting in Canadian Climate and Geography Theme 2: Wind Energy Extraction Wind Energy Extraction in Cold Climates, Wind Turbine and Wind Farm Performance Assessment Theme 3: Wind Power Engineering Integration of Wind Power into Power Grids Theme 4: Wind Energy Techno-Economics Techno-Economic Modelling and Optimization of Wind Energy Systems

Theme 1: Wind Resource Assessment and Forecasting Led by Université de Moncton These tools work to eliminate barriers to development of wind industry by improving wind siting and wind power predictions.  Improved wind resource assessment  Improved wind forecasting models and methodology  Development of instruments for wind resource measurements in the Canadian environment

Theme 2: Wind Energy Extraction Led by École de technologie supérieure These projects work to address the current underproduction of Canadian wind farms by providing tools to enhancing extraction of energy from wind turbines and farms across Canada  Wind-farm performance assessment in a Canadian setting  Advanced wind-turbine & component design for Nordic conditions  Wind turbine performance testing of large wind farms  Wind energy production forecasting (icing effects)

Theme 3: Wind Energy in Power Systems Led by University of Toronto Innovations in this area aim to improve control and protection of wind energy systems integrated into the grid – currently viewed as a major obstacle to large scale deployment in Canada.  Next-Gen Power Electronic Converter Systems (PECS) for wind  Supervisory Control and Power Management of Grid interactive hybrid wind systems  Next-Gen Control/Protection of grid-integrated wind power  Grid integration of wind turbines as distributed generation units and interconnected power systems  Mathematical models and study tools

Theme 4: Techno-Economic Modelling and Optimization of Wind Energy Systems Led by University of Victoria These projects lay the groundwork for optimizing wind energy systems in a Canadian setting, advancing its viability from a market and environmental perspective.  Transmission congestion management with wind integration  Optimal bidding strategies for wind generation  Hybrid wind energy systems for remote communities  Economics and environmental assessments of wind integration