Nergica

Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles, Gaspé, Québec
What the facility does

Renewable energy research centre

Areas of expertise

Nergica is a centre of applied research that stimulates innovation in the renewable energy industry through research, technical assistance, technology transfer and technical support for businesses and communities. It’s mission: creating new opportunities for renewable energy.

Specifically, Nergica specializes in developing solutions that integrate renewable energy, optimize wind farm and solar farm performance and support the growth of small- and medium-sized businesses. The facility carries out its operations with a team of multidisciplinary experts, unique research infrastructures unavailable elsewhere in Canada installed in a natural environment, and custom services that support innovation.

Initially recognized for its expertise in cold climate and in operation and maintenance, Nergica also offers cutting-edge services in technology development and assessment, commercialization of innovations, adaptive meteorology, microgrids, and energy storage and grid management. Known since 2000 as the TechnoCentre éolien since it was founded in 2000, Nergica is an official college centre for technology transfer (CCTT) and is affiliated with the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles.

Research services
  • Technology Development and Assessment                   
  • Operation and Maintenance                                                                            
  • Applied Meteorology and Energy Resources                
  • Energy Storage and Grid Management
  • Commercialization of Innovations
  • Cold Climate Suitability
  • Microgrids
  • Funding for your projects
Sectors of application
  • Clean technology
  • Energy (renewable and fossil)
  • Professional and technical services (including legal services, architecture, engineering)

Equipment

Function

4 MW wind farm

Study and characterization of wind farm performance; aerodynamics

16 kW photovoltaic (PV) solar array

Optimization and integration of PV solar array in cold climates, evaluation of penetration rate of PV systems in microgrids

Wind measurement masts (4), two of which are 126 metres, equipped with ice detectors, ceilometers, wind vanes and heated and unheated anemometers of varying heights

Energy resource characterization, meteorological modelling and forecasts on complex terrain

Smart wind-diesel hybrid microgrid (rated power of 200 kW)

Integration of renewables and energy storage, microgrid design, sizing, and optimization

OPAL-RT simulation platform

Development and real-time validation of innovative control solutions for a small microgrid

LIDARs (2) (remote sensing technology)

Assessment and development of meteorological measuring instruments, analysis of the impact of meteorology on productivity

High-speed (1 Hz) data processing and storage infrastructure

Data collection and analysis

 

Meteodyn WT

Specialized software: Design and data analysis

WaSP

 

Specialized software: Design and data analysis

WindFarmer

 

Specialized software: Design and data analysis

Matlab

 

Specialized software: Design and data analysis

ArcGIS

 

Specialized software: Design and data analysis

Google Earth

 

Specialized software: Design and data analysis

  • Senvion Canada
  • International Energy Agency
  • Technostrobe
  • Cartier Wind Energy
  • Sigma Energy Storage
  • Techéol
  • Renewable NRG Systems
  • Vattenfall
  • EDF SEI
  • HoverCam
  • Merinov
  • Vizimax
  • Tugliq
  • RES Canada
  • Microdrones
  • CanmetENERGY
  • Natural Resources Canada
  • TELUS
  • IFP Energies nouvelles
  • École de technologie supérieure
  • Arista
  • Leosphere
  • DNV GL
  • Hydro-Québec
  • College-Industry Innovation Fund
  • International Electrotechnical Commission
  • IcedBlades Research Consortium
  • 3M
  • CVT Corp Inc.
  • The Ohmega Group
  • Université Laval
  • Université du Québec à Rimouski
  • OSIsoft
  • ACCORD Wind Energy Cluster
  • Canada Economic Development
  • Ministère de l’Économie/ de la Science et de l’Innovation
  • SYNAPSE Network
  • Wind Energy Institute of Canada
  • Vents du Kempt Wind Power LP
  • Candela
  • SG2B
  • Suspendem
  • Groupe LD
  • Fabrication Delta
  • OPSIS
  • Caninno
  • GM Technologies
  • Glen Dhu wind farm
  • EDF Renewables
  • First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Sustainable Development Institute (FNQLSDI)
  • Capstone Infrastructure
  • Kjeller Vindteknikk
  • PESCA Environment
  • ENERCON
  • Innergex Renewable Energy
  • National Research Council Canada
  • Ouranos
  • Manitoba Hydro
  • Ontario Power Generation
  • Cree United Power
  • Hydro-Québec’s research institute
  • Collineo
  • Green Sun Rising
  • Association des Capitaines-Propriétaires de la Gaspésie
  • Marinvent
  • WPred
  • OpDAQ
  • Biome Renewables
  • Campbell Scientific
  • University of New Brunswick
  • SADC de la région de Matane
  • Régie intermunicipale de l'énergie Gaspésie Îles de la Madeleine

Title

URL

The Nergica research site—360-degree video

https://vimeo.com/380408957

Funding to support Canadian SMEs improve their innovations

https://vimeo.com/421576942

Analyzing a wind turbine nacelle alignment system

https://synchronex.ca/cas-a-succes/analyser-un-systeme-dalignement-de-girouette-de-nacelle-deolienne/

Commissioning of a 16 kW Solar PV System

https://vimeo.com/247013447

What is a Microgrid?

https://vimeo.com/233502057

Virtual Tour of the Nergica Microgrid (formerly known as TechnoCentre éolien)

https://vimeo.com/203473942

Key player in wind power turns to solar

https://www.ledevoir.com/economie/525581/un-joueur-cle-de-la-filiere-eolienne-se-tourne-vers-le-sol…

Solar PV Challenges in Cold-Climate Regions

http://www.nacleanenergy.com/articles/30931/solar-pv-challenges-in-cold-climate-regions

Drones used to inspect windmills

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1141612/drone-eolienne-inspection-etude-nergica

The cold, hard truth about ice on turbine blades

https://www.windpowerengineering.com/the-cold-hard-truth-about-ice-on-turbine-blades/

Frost Warnings    

https://www.windsystemsmag.com/frost-warnings/

Helping You Harness Renewable Energy

https://www.businesselitecanada.com/renewable/nergica