Press Release
Summerside Xchange attracts international clean tech company
Summerside to become the North American Base of Operations for WindTAK.
The Summerside Xchange has reached a collaborative partnership with a Polish-based clean technology company called WindTAK sp. z.o.o. WindTAK has developed wind turbine technology that increases the effectiveness of turbine power production by upwards of 7%. As wind farms age, efficiency and productivity can become severely impacted. However, through advanced analytics and monitoring, wind farm operators can maintain high efficiency and production of these assets by utilizing the proprietary technology WindTAK offers.
WindTAK expressed an interest in growing into the North American wind power marketplace with a base of operations in Summerside. WindTAK requires product validation in the market with wind farm operators as part of their growth plans in North America. The City of Summerside has agreed to invest in a pilot project by installing WindTAK systems on two of the four City wind turbines.
WindTAK, considered a “deep clean technology” company, uses smart vortex generators that are small, 3D-printed rotor attachments that optimize the flow pattern around the turbine rotor. The vortex generators, in partnership with a WindTAK‘s gateway mounted to the turbine's nacelle, provide an intelligent monitoring system for turbine performance. As a result, the blade aerodynamics works better, producing more electrical energy. It is the same mechanism that makes the dimpled golf balls fly faster or automobiles drive further on a single gasoline tank. WindTAK’s system improves blade efficiency and increases wind turbines' power production and lifetime while cutting the wind park operator costs by supplying information in real-time on critical "in front of the meter" energy sources. “Prince Edward Island is unique,” says Dr. Karczewski, “and Summerside is the perfect location to develop new ideas and gain a foothold in the North American market, especially in the clean tech sector. For an enterprise like ours, it simplifies everything and turbo-boosts the time required to test and take our products to market. We are planning on installing our systems on two of the four City wind turbines this Fall and validating their performance for 12 months. As well, we are in the process over the next six months of setting up an office in Summerside, starting with 3 people and growing to 12 over the next couple of years.”
Mayor of Summerside, Dan Kutcher, says, “This pilot project will not only help the City reach Net Zero but also establish WindTAK Canada Inc. in Summerside and provide the company with the necessary validation and grow out of its technology business in North America. WindTAK's experience with Summerside is an example of how commercialization partnerships can be obtained by using city-owned facilities to validate technology while growing our local economy.
In 2021, the City of Summerside, building on the experience and success of Living Lab, formed the business accelerator called the Summerside Xchange, a private-public sector collaboration to enhance support for early to mid-stage companies through their commercialization and expansion journey and to expedite growth through rapid
product development, mentorship and financing.
If you are a local, regional or international company that would like to partner with the City of Summerside to grow your company in a rapid, fast-paced commercialization environment, please get in touch with Mike Thususka, Director of Economic Development, at mike@summerside.ca
For Media Inquiries, please contact:
JP Desrosiers
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
City of Summerside
publicrelations@summerside.ca
Tanner Doiron
Communications Manager
City of Summerside
publicrelations@summerside.ca
The Summerside Xchange has reached a collaborative partnership with a Polish-based clean technology company called WindTAK sp. z.o.o. WindTAK has developed wind turbine technology that increases the effectiveness of turbine power production by upwards of 7%. As wind farms age, efficiency and productivity can become severely impacted. However, through advanced analytics and monitoring, wind farm operators can maintain high efficiency and production of these assets by utilizing the proprietary technology WindTAK offers.
WindTAK expressed an interest in growing into the North American wind power marketplace with a base of operations in Summerside. WindTAK requires product validation in the market with wind farm operators as part of their growth plans in North America. The City of Summerside has agreed to invest in a pilot project by installing WindTAK systems on two of the four City wind turbines.
WindTAK, considered a “deep clean technology” company, uses smart vortex generators that are small, 3D-printed rotor attachments that optimize the flow pattern around the turbine rotor. The vortex generators, in partnership with a WindTAK‘s gateway mounted to the turbine's nacelle, provide an intelligent monitoring system for turbine performance. As a result, the blade aerodynamics works better, producing more electrical energy. It is the same mechanism that makes the dimpled golf balls fly faster or automobiles drive further on a single gasoline tank. WindTAK’s system improves blade efficiency and increases wind turbines' power production and lifetime while cutting the wind park operator costs by supplying information in real-time on critical "in front of the meter" energy sources. “Prince Edward Island is unique,” says Dr. Karczewski, “and Summerside is the perfect location to develop new ideas and gain a foothold in the North American market, especially in the clean tech sector. For an enterprise like ours, it simplifies everything and turbo-boosts the time required to test and take our products to market. We are planning on installing our systems on two of the four City wind turbines this Fall and validating their performance for 12 months. As well, we are in the process over the next six months of setting up an office in Summerside, starting with 3 people and growing to 12 over the next couple of years.”
Mayor of Summerside, Dan Kutcher, says, “This pilot project will not only help the City reach Net Zero but also establish WindTAK Canada Inc. in Summerside and provide the company with the necessary validation and grow out of its technology business in North America. WindTAK's experience with Summerside is an example of how commercialization partnerships can be obtained by using city-owned facilities to validate technology while growing our local economy.
In 2021, the City of Summerside, building on the experience and success of Living Lab, formed the business accelerator called the Summerside Xchange, a private-public sector collaboration to enhance support for early to mid-stage companies through their commercialization and expansion journey and to expedite growth through rapid
product development, mentorship and financing.
If you are a local, regional or international company that would like to partner with the City of Summerside to grow your company in a rapid, fast-paced commercialization environment, please get in touch with Mike Thususka, Director of Economic Development, at mike@summerside.ca
For Media Inquiries, please contact:
JP Desrosiers
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
City of Summerside
publicrelations@summerside.ca
Tanner Doiron
Communications Manager
City of Summerside
publicrelations@summerside.ca