Wind power is a mature energy generation method, with a high deployment and growth rate globally, and is currently economically competitive among different types of renewable energy generations. Its life cycle GHG emissions are considered to be extremely low to negligible, so it is seen as the most viable method to meet electricity generation demands globally while meeting recent GHG emission reduction targets. In fact, there is a relatively low installed wind generation capacity in Canada, particularly considering the massive available wind resources. The purpose of this seven-year program is to clarify and contribute to the elimination of barriers to the sensible growth of wind power deployment in Canada.

Currently major technical challenges on wind research include:

• Lack of low cost and accurate wind resource modelling and measurement methods, which is key for both large wind farm sites design, wind power forecasting, and urban wind stress estimation for wind or solar installations.
• Alternative wind harvesting technologies for smaller turbines and non-rotating turbine systems.
• More reliable wind farm operation that minimizes mechanical and electrical system downtime and therefore maximizes revenue through state monitoring, de-icing, and sound wind power grid integrations.
• A suitable market for wind power as well as the ancillary services provided, particularly for deregulated electricity markets such as in Alberta, where the wind power development needs to compete for funds to finance the capital intensive.

The goal of the program is to pursue a suite of projects, which will contribute and translate results, knowledge, understanding and insight to the wind power generation and supply chain and address the above technology gaps. The outcomes will be the development of technology, methods or data which can be used by the system as a whole to full deployment of wind power in Canada and globally.