2001 Triple Bottom Line Report - BC Hydro

G R E E N E N E R G Y R E S E A R C H A N D D E V E L O P M E N T
Our recognition of the importance of sustainability is reflected
by our action to create a separate Green and Alternative Energy
Division within BC Hydro, to encourage research and development
of emerging green energy technologies that have not been
actively pursued to date in B.C. We are especially interested in
wind power, biomass and micro hydro technologies. Work to
date has focused on the research and analysis of near-commercial
green initiatives, which yielded a number of advances that move
us towards the launch of several projects.
• WIND – Our investigations of wind power potential in
2000 included establishing six wind-speed monitoring towers
at promising locations in B.C., where the wind resource,
seasonal variability and consistency of the wind were assessed at
each site. We also completed a wind energy resources map of
B.C., using advanced computer technology, to help us identify
additional sites for wind studies.
• BIOMASS – Biomass is energy produced from organic
sources such as wood, other plant material or municipal
waste. The most common source of biomass energy in B.C.
is sawmill woodwaste. Last year, in preparation for a largerscale
demonstration that would produce five to six times
more energy, we co-funded a pilot project in Kelowna that
produced heat and electricity from surplus woodwaste using
innovative gasification technology developed by Etho Power.
We also continued to explore opportunities to support
development of other woodwaste-utilization technologies.
• MICRO HYDRO – Micro developments with little
environmental impact are usually located on small creeks
or streams that are impassible to fish and that rely on simple
diversion structures or “run-of-the-river” flows that do not
flood land. Progress in our investigations in 2000 included
completing an inventory of potential development sites in
B.C., continuing work on a handbook for site development,
and identifying potential sites to test both the handbook
and interconnection requirements.
• VANCOUVER ISLAND GREEN ENERGY
RESOURCES – A preliminary study is underway on
Vancouver Island to explore potential sources of green energy
for the region, with an emphasis on renewable, low-impact
and socially responsible power such as wind, small and micro
hydro, biomass, pumped storage and wave energy. Early
results are encouraging and provide a solid base for more
detailed assessments now underway. The Vancouver Island
Green Energy Resources Study is phase one of a larger B.C.
Green Energy study that will be completed in conjunction
with our 2002 Electricity Plan (see page 31).
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• COMMUNITY ENERGY PLANNING – We are
investigating ways to integrate energy supply and demand for
entire communities. Last year we contributed to the study of
alternative energy sources in Nemiah Valley, a remote community
not connected to our power grid. The study is exploring the
potential for wind and micro hydro generation to power the
community. Two wind-monitoring towers have been established
as part of the project, and two potential micro hydro sites are
being investigated.