Wind research facility looking to solar energy

NORWAY, P.E.I. -- The Wind Energy Institute of Canada (WEICan) is about to tiptoe into solar energy at its national research facility at North Cape.

Scott Harper, executive director of WEICan said the research facility is not looking at a switch to solar, but a way to maintain production at times when the wind is not blowing.

On Friday Egmont MP Bobby Morrissey announced the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, is providing a non-repayable $600,000 contribution to WEICan to help with the purchase and installation of solar panels and to increase the facility’s energy storage capabilities.

Total cost of the project is around $800,000 with WEICan covering the remaining costs.

It will allow for the creation of a 100-kilowatt solar farm beside the facility’s substation in Norway, near North Cape.

Solar, Harper explained, will help the facility’s wind farm respond to challenges that can occur when the wind is not blowing, or the wind turbines are down because of a storm or a power outage. Oil in the wind turbines gearboxes must be kept warm even when the blades are not turning, so that the turbines can be switched on again as quickly as possible when conditions permit. Solar energy, in tandem with power supplied from a battery storage system could help keep the oil warm, while reducing the energy demand from idle turbines.

“Renewable energy is a broad area. I think, at our core, wind is where we’re going to be. The resource here is why we’re here. We’ve cut our teeth on that,” said Harper. “We’re interested in getting more engaged with solar, but I think, frankly, it will be what solar does as a complement to wind.”

In the end, it doesn’t matter to the consumer where the power comes from, he agrees. “The battery doesn’t care and, frankly, your house doesn’t care once it gets in.”

Morrissey acknowledged WEICan’s expertise in green energy production. The research facility at North Cape has been operating for 38 years. He said the North Cape area has always been receptive to wind energy and has one of the best wind regimes in the region. We’ve embraced it and we should also benefit from that.