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Winds of change

Nunavut looking at alternative energy source

Yose Cormier
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Aug 04/03) - If you listen close enough, you can hear change in the wind.

Nunavut is looking to harness the wind's power and the government is taking small steps to toward that goal.

NNSL Photo

Nunavut is looking at increasing the number of wind turbines in the territory. It could be good news for Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay. - Chris Puglia/NNSL photo


A map detailing wind patterns is being developed so the government can decide where turbines can be used to generate electricity.

"We don't have any accurate data on wind in the territory. We're the only jurisdiction that doesn't," said energy minister Ed Picco.

Nunavut Power Corp does have a few locations in mind.

"Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay look like ideal places to experiment," said Axel Have, vice-president of operations and chief engineer for Nunavut Power.

Rankin Inlet has one turbine working, and Cambridge Bay has attempted more than once to introduce wind energy to their community.

The wind map is expected to be complete by October, and wind turbines could be set up as early as September of next year, said Picco.

But before setting some up, the government wants to pinpoint the locations suitable for wind turbines.

"You need nice, gentle, constant winds," said Have.

That's hard to find in the North, where gusts reaching over 100 km/h are common and the ideal strength is less than 25 km/h.

"A lot of work and effort has to be put in wind mapping before putting up a wind turbine," said Have.

"We've had them in Kugluktuk, Cambridge Bay, Iglulik but some of these projects were unsuccessful. Wind mapping work was not anything like we are proposing now."

Rule of thumb

While those projects proved disappointing, the turbine in Rankin Inlet offers some hope.

It's been in use since 2000, and while it doesn't generate much power, it is generating attention.

The turbine can produce 50 kw during perfect conditions, but that is a far cry from the peak load of 2,300 kw the community needs.

"It's so small relative to community load but so far we have been happy. It's been a big investment in terms of monitoring and maintaining but it's an investment in the future," Have said.

At 50 kw, the turbine could supply energy for one of the schools when it is running.

But the rule of thumb under the average wind condition is it would provide energy for only 20 to 25 per cent of the time, said Have. The turbine in Rankin weighs about 30-40 tonnes and is about 50 meters tall.

Decisions on sizes for the next generation of turbines haven't been made yet.

"The current state-of-the-art wind turbine, which is in Germany, has an output of 4,500 kw. Just the tower is 200 meters tall and weighs 500 tonnes. That would be too big for the Arctic," said Have.

The major problem faced with building wind turbines in the North is the lack of construction equipment in the communities, Have said.

"If we went out to, say, Iglulik or Qikiqtarjuak, there is no construction equipment on site. We would have to bring it on the sea lift. We would end up leaving it in the community over winter," Have said.

Hamlets discuss wind

The SAO for Panniqtuuq said the hamlet has had discussions with the Nunavut government on wind energy, but he said that was it so far, just talk

"We've had discussions on the subject. It would be good except for the gusting winds. I don't know if windmills could withstand winds of up to 160 km. You would need a good braking system," said Greg Morash.

He added that more information is needed on the possible methods of harnessing wind power.

In Cambridge Bay, the mayor is keeping a close eye on the situation.

"Our hamlet passed a resolution two or three years ago stating that we wanted the government to look at energy alternatives. We've been reaffirming that every year," said Keith Peterson.

He's even gone to Kotzebue in Alaska, a small community similar to Cambridge, which has a dozen wind turbines.

"We'd seen them on the news a couple years ago that they had wind energy and they were getting their technology from Canada," he said.

Peterson would like to see that technology come to his community.

"If they can why can't we? Fuel prices won't be going down, they'll be going up. There'll be another fuel crisis in the world and we will be hard hit. It's a big concern for municipalities and private citizens," he said.