Wind Energy and the Atmospheric Boundary Layer

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Wind is a viable renewable energy source for Canada with a continuing increase in the numbers of wind farms in all provinces. As available wind farm sites close to electricity demand locations become harder to find we anticipate offshore wind farm development in the Great Lakes (despite the current moratorium in Ontario) and part of our work is related to this activity. In addition more wind farms are under development in complex terrain (for example in the Gaspé peninsula and British Columbia). The economic viability of a wind farm is critically dependent on the wind resource and the detailed design (layout and turbine selection), based on satisfying noise and other environmental concerns while maximizing annual energy production (AEP). Financing arrangements are often sensitive to the uncertainties associated with estimates of AEP and improved understanding and modelling will play an important role in reducing these uncertainties and supporting the industry.