Wind Energy | Off-shore Wind

While offshore wind energy is undergoing rather rapid global growth, Canada does not yet have any offshore wind facilities installed. However, the resource potential for this technology in Canada is significant and thus wind energy project developers are studying both Canada’s West coast and the Great Lakes for possible offshore wind farms.
Offshore wind can offer key advantages if the right locations are chosen, such as:

• Higher wind speeds
• Lower wind turbulence offshore reduces stresses on the turbine for a particular wind speed
• More constant winds (higher capacity factor)

Despite these advantages, offshore wind farms are relatively new, and face higher construction and operating costs than on-shore turbines.
In order to better understand the potential for offshore wind development in Canada, CanmetENERGY is working with offshore wind developers to assess the wind resources at a number of potential sites. Innovative technologies, such as LIght Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) and SOnic Detection and Ranging (SODAR) are being used to study some sites, while traditional met masts are being deployed at other sites. In order to ensure the best accuracy and data confidence, these technologies are often used in parallel.
To find our more about on-going research and development in off-shore wind, please contact us.