The Wind Energy Institute of Canada receives “RJ Templin Award” at CanWEA 2011

6 October, 2011

Staff and the Board Directors of the Wind Energy Institute of Canada were pleased to learn that they had received the “RJ Templin Award” at the 27th Annual Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) Conference and Trade Show in Vancouver, on October 5, 2011. First awarded in 1985, the R.J. Templin Award is now awarded to any individual or organization who has undertaken scientific, technical, engineering or policy work that has significantly advanced the wind energy industry in Canada.

CanWEA is a non-profit trade association that promotes the appropriate development and application of all aspects of wind energy in Canada, including the creation of a suitable policy environment. CanWEA's 27th Annual Conference and Exhibition was held October 3-6, 2011 in Vancouver, BC, which brought together over 2,500 experts from all over the world and featured over 250 exhibiting companies.

Richard Hassard, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Wind Energy Institute of Canada, attributes the receipt of this award to the Institute’s team of highly skilled and competent employees. “Without the commitment and effort of our team at the Institute, and the leadership of the CEO Scott Harper, I am not sure this award would have come our way”, says Richard Hassard.

The Wind Energy Institute of Canada, located at North Cape, Prince Edward Island is a not for profit, independent research and testing institute. Its mission is to advance the development of wind energy across Canada through research and demonstration, testing leading to certification, training and public education, and collaboration. The Institute’s location and its access to a multi-seasoned wind resource make it an excellent choice for testing wind systems of any size.

Small wind turbines are defined as having a swept area of less than 200m2. They utilize wind energy to produce clean, emissions-free electric power for individual homes, farms, and small businesses. In some cases, excess energy can be sold back to the grid. The Wind Energy Institute has been doing power performance and durability testing since 1981, and currently have four small wind turbines in test.

Another major project the Institute is working on now is their Wind R&D Park. In 2010, the Wind Energy Institute was awarded a five year, $12 million federal grant from the “Clean Energy Fund” to demonstrate the economic and technical feasibility of wind energy storage in Canada. The demonstration will feature 5 wind turbines - generating capacity of 10 MW, a utility sized electricity storage system and the examination of grid integration technologies to increase the economic viability of intermittent electricity generation (wind, solar, tidal, etc.).

Click here for CANWEA Press release.

WEICan contact for additional information:
Karen Kinch
Office 1-902-882-4126