More than 260 wind energy professionals from across Canada and the U.S. attended the two-day CanWEA O&M Summit, held January 29 and 30 in Ontario.
Canada’s largest annual wind energy operations and maintenance (O&M) show wrapped up yesterday. The CanWEA event showcased rapid improvements in O&M and the presence of a strong culture of health and safety in the wind energy industry.
Summit attendees were presented with new ideas from entrepreneurs, exposed to new products and services, and invited to participate in a health and safety committee meeting. Delegates also participated in a “research huddle” to explore the details of current research findings. Among the many industry advancements highlighted at the event were:
- A comprehensive review of icing detectors and forecasting technology, essential for cold-climate operations;
- The unveiling of a new small crane in a shipping container that can lift a rotor into place on a wind turbine;
- An analysis of the O&M market in North America going forward; and
- Highly interactive sessions between speakers and participants on subjects such as protecting bats, the implications of new cannabis legislation, and the latest developments in health and safety.
“Canada’s wind energy industry has created over 58,000 person-years of employment in construction and operations, bringing green jobs to nearly 300 communities,” said Robert Hornung, President, Canadian Wind Energy Association. “The wind power sector has been the largest source of new electricity generation in Canada for over a decade, and our vision for the industry calls for continued steady growth as Canadians turn to clean and low-cost power to meet an increasing need for a flexible, reliable and carbon-free electricity grid.”
At the 2019 O&M Awards Breakfast, the winners of the CanWEA awards for excellence in health and safety and innovation were announced. TECHÉOL inc. was presented the O&M Outstanding Achievement Award, while Vestas Canadian Wind Technology was presented the Health and Safety Excellence Award. Other companies recognized as finalists for the awards were Capstone Infrastructure (Outstanding Achievement) and Kruger Energy Port Alma LP & Chatham LP (Health and Safety).
The O&M Summit also featured 25 wind energy exhibitors showcasing their products and services in the largest-ever exhibit space for the annual O&M event.
“As Canada’s wind energy industry continues to expand, and the significance of O&M in the industry’s success and evolution increases, there are many benefits to convening more than 260 industry leaders to connect and discuss operational issues and improvements, examine innovative tools and techniques, and continue the promotion of health and safety excellence,” said Phil McKay, CanWEA’s Operations and Maintenance Program Director. “These owners, operators, manufacturers and service providers are key contributors to wind energy’s status as the most economical option for new non-emitting electricity generation in Canada.”
Filed Under: Events, News, O&M
