The Sunshine Coast Salmonid Enhancement Society has started work on an alternative energy project at its Chapman Creek hatchery.
Designed to reduce energy consumption, reduce its carbon footprint and reduce its operating costs, the project will ultimately see the facility heated with geothermal energy, supported by electricity from micro turbines.
"This is a rather unique project," said coordinator Don Petry. "We will use the water that is already flowing through our hatchery tanks to drive three micro turbines. These will produce electricity that will power the equipment needed to operate the geothermal heating system. We think this is the first project of its kind at a facility like ours, we hope to use it as a demonstration site for others, and as a model for this kind of hatchery operation elsewhere in B.C. and Canada."
Dr. Mori Ghomshei and Nima Mousavi of Carnotech Energy Inc. in Vancouver designed the project. Research and development was supported by grants from the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) of the National Research Council of Canada.
The first phase of the project, the assembling of the micro-turbines and installing of electrical lines to connect the turbines to the BC Hydro grid is being done by Kris Verhulst of Gen-Zed Construction in Sechelt. The Pacific Salmon Foundation, the Sunshine Coast Community Foundaton, and the IRAP have provided financial support. Swanson's Ready-Mix Ltd., Olson Electric and One Stop Contracting have donated in-kind contributions.
The second phase of the project will be to install safety and control mechanisms that are needed to connect the project to the BC Hydro grid. The third phase will be the installation of the geothermal heating system. Fundraising for these phases is now underway.
"We are excited about this project, and really looking forward to getting the next steps underway," said society president Michael Snook.
Anyone interested in further information, or contributing to the project, can contact Petry or Snook through the hatchery at 604-885-4136.
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