Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

To advance Canada's climate action plan and reduce our fossil fuel dependency, technological advancements are needed at both ends of the energy supply chain to continue to shift generation to renewable sources while simultaneously providing means to reduce consumption. Wind is a core component to Canada's renewable energy strategy, where continued research is needed to improve the performance of wind farms (at a large scale) and of urban wind harvester devices (at a small scale). On the energy consumption side, our reliance on electricity and fossil fuels for air conditioning and heating can be reduced by improving the cooling efficiency of data centres (responsible for 1% of electricity consumption in Canada) and the performance of transpired solar collectors. All these applications share a common phenomenon, the formation of a turbulent wake behind the building, electronic component, or wind turbine. The study of this turbulent wake relies heavily on experimental techniques, since the computational costs of accurate numerical simulations of complex wake flows are still prohibitive. In this context, the most effective technique for measurements of turbulent flows - with features that occur at the milli to the micro-second scale, requiring elevated sampling rates - is Constant Temperature Anemometry (CTA), also known as hot-wire anemometry. This request is for a CTA system to support fundamental research on wake flows and interactions applied to wind energy systems, electronic cooling, and wind gusts on solar collectors. The budget covers the acquisition of two CTA modules, five different types of probes (appropriate for air and water measurements), a calibrator, and requisite hardware and software components for system operation. The equipment will be a pivotal instrument in five projects within two fundamental research programs, supporting the research of over 10 HQP in the next five years. The HQP trained with this equipment will gain hands-on experience on designing and performing velocity measurements in experimental facilities (wind tunnel, water flow loop and towing tank) and performing advanced statistical analysis of the turbulent flow. The high safety of a CTA system (in comparison with other velocity measurement techniques) will also provide a lower barrier to the training of undergraduate students, increasing their exposure to research and broadening the pathways of inclusion of HQP from equity-deserving groups. HQP trained in the supported research programs will gain valuable skills for the growing renewable energy and thermal management landscapes, equipping them for careers in either industry or academia. The research has great potential to provide solutions in these areas, supporting the Government of Canada's commitments to net-zero carbon emissions.