NSERC
Canadian
Wind Energy Strategic Network
(WESNet)
NSERC
Strategic Networks Program Overview
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 largescale 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.
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
All of Canada:
• NRCan
• Environment Canada
• Nalcor
• MUN
• Manitoba Hydro
• UMan
• BC Gov’t.
• UVic
• Sask Power
• CanWEA
• Ryerson
• Waterloo
• UofT
• UWO
• Helimax
• Wind Energy
TechnoCentre
• Hydro Quebec
• ETS
• Ecole Polytechnique
• McGill
• Laval
• INRS
• UQAC
• UQAR
• WEICan
• Atlantic
Hydrogen
• NBSO
• UdeM
• UNB
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.
WESNet Organization
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
Principal Investigator
Scientific Committee
Outreach Committee
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, NB
Principal Investigator
and
Theme Leaders
McGill University
Montreal, QC
Network Manager
University of New Brunswick
Theme 1 Leader
Theme 2 Leader
Theme 3 Leader
Theme 4 Leader
Université de Moncton
Moncton, NB
École de technologie
supérieure, Montréal, QC
University of Toronto
Toronto, ON
University of Victoria
Victoria, BC
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 subprojects) 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
Led by
Université de Moncton
Theme 1:
Wind Resource Assessment
and Forecasting
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
Led by
École de technologie supérieure
Theme 2:
Wind Energy Extraction
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)
Led by
University of Toronto
Theme 3: Wind Energy
in Power Systems
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
Led by
University of Victoria
Theme 4: Techno-Economic
Modelling and Optimization
of Wind Energy Systems
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