Powercone® Skyway8 wind farm pilot

Lead Proponent

Biome Renewables

Project Background

The PowerCone® Skyway8 Wind Farm Pilot is a demonstration of the impact of Biome’s patented PowerCone® technology on the power output of a wind farm. The project was expanded to include a demonstration of the capability of Biome’s patented FeatherEdge® technology to reduce turbine noise while improving power output.

Results

PowerCone® demonstration ended early due to a mechanical failure. Preliminary results were positive but were inconclusive due to the length of the demonstration period. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of the impact of the PowerCone® technology at a windfarm level in partnership with a research team at UBC is currently underway. This will help to build support for the wind farm level benefits of the PowerCone® technology.

FeatherEdge® demonstration – initial wind tunnel results were very strong, indicating an average noise reduction of 8 dB(A), 5dB(A) greater than a comparable industry technology when tested in a wind tunnel. An increase in the lift vs. drag ratio was also identified, indicating potential native power benefits from the FeatherEdge itself. Further investigation is required to determine if adjustments to the turbine controller can unlock power benefits.

Benefits to Canada

The commercialization of the PowerCone® and FeatherEdge® technologies will provide multiple benefits to Canada including:

• create highly-skilled jobs in the STEM and manufacturing sectors to support roll out of the technology,
• position Canada as a leading wind technology innovator on the global stage given the technology will be deployed on a global basis,
• help Canada meet its GHG emission reduction targets while improving the energy output of wind turbines,
• help to make the business of wind more attractive for operators (e.g., through the efficiency benefits of the technologies) and more accepted by local communities (e.g., through the noise reduction benefits of FeatherEdge®)

Next steps

PowerCone® - secure involvement in the wind farm simulation of industry participants so that they get first hand knowledge of the benefits of the product in order to rebuild sponsorship for the wind farm level demonstration.

FeatherEdge® demonstration – install FeatherEdge on a single MM92 turbine at Nergica in the Gaspé region of Quebec, demonstrate noise reduction benefits and then conduct a controller optimization study to demonstrate the power benefits of the technology.

Technology in Action

In Their Words

“The BESC team was there during some of our most difficult times as a company, standing behind us after we experienced a mechanical failure of our technology that ended our first demonstration early. They did not throw in the towel when the “going got tough” and instead rolled up their sleeves to help, in and push through difficult times. This has made us a better company and given us an opportunity to bring our FeatherEdge® technology to market while we do more work on the PowerCone®.”

Bryan Murphy, Head of Finance and CFO

“The PowerCone technology is currently undergoing an investigation at the wind farm level to understand additional wake effects. With increased data and value to the market in-hand, a demonstration partner and OEM can be secured to conduct a full-scale wind farm demonstration. The impact of the PowerCone® technology is immense, reducing the cost of wind and accelerating its uptake. The FeatherEdge® technology is about to undergo full-scale validation at the Nergica test facility. If the noise reduction and power benefits are proven, the technology can increase the acceptance and uptake of wind around the world. The technology is relatively low risk and easy to implement in a mass-manufacturing setting, making it a key technology for the continued growth of wind.”

Ryan Church, Founder and CEO, CTO