Mathieu Landry

A Methodology for the Evaluation of the Economic Impacts of Wind Energy Projects

In this paper, a methodology for the evaluation of the economic impacts of wind energy projects is presented. With an application to the Canadian setting, the methodology is based on modified input-output techniques using national/provincial economic Input-Output tables and multiplier coefficients. The model makes use of a profile of investment for a generic 100 MW wind energy project based on publicly available financial data from current wind energy projects developed and operating in Canada. Subsequently, a case study of the economic impact assessment for both the construction and operations phases of a generic 100 MW wind farm project constructed and operated in the province of New Brunswick, Canada is performed. Results show that in total, including direct, indirect and induced jobs, the construction phase could create a total of 225 person-years of labour, while the operations and maintenance phase could create a total of 17 person-years of labour annually.

On the wind resource mapping of Burkina Faso

ABSTRACT In this work, mesoscale wind resource maps, at 5-km resolution, of the country of Burkina Faso (274,200 km2) were developed using the Anemoscope and mesoscale compressible community models. Results show that the northeast region of Burkina Faso has a good wind regime at 80 m above ground level (agl), while the wind regime in other parts of the country is generally low, even at 80 m agl. In addition, the technical power potential and the potential annual energy production that can be generated from the wind in Burkina Faso are identified using analysis tools based on geographical information systems and economic constraints. Results from the technical power potential at 80 m agl show that a total of 312 MW of wind farms, generating annually a total of 741 GWh of energy, could be installed in Burkina Faso. On the other hand, a total of 4411 MW of small wind turbines (50 kW) could be installed over the territory, corresponding to an annual energy production of 7843 GWh. The Wind Atlas of Burkina Faso provides an opportunity for local stakeholders to consider wind energy for the electricity portfolio of the country.