The Canadian province of BC is finally getting its first wind power installation.  Despite its reputation as a green energy leader, due to its hydro-power infrastructure, it is actually the last province in Canada to build utility-scale wind power.  Unlike wind-farms usually located on agricultural land, the Bear Mountain "wind-park" is on public land in a recreational forest setting.  It will be open to the public upon completion.  The site forms a chain along the crest of a ridge, roughly 100 metres above the surrounding lowlands. 34 towers in total will be built, each generating about 3 megawatts of power, for a estimated total of 102 megawatts.

They are Enercon's E-82 machine, one of the most advanced wind turbines currently available.  Another unusual element is that one of the stakeholders in the project is the Peace Energy Co-operative, a citizens renewable energy group that was involved in planning the project, and will receive royalties from the power generated by the project.

Roughly half-way along the line sits the wind-park's substation. Its primary function is to increase the voltage of the new electricity from 32,000 volts to 133,000 volts. Power generated from the turbines will travel along a line to this location, where a complex array of circuit breakers, monitors and control mechanisms govern the power-flow from wind tower to public utility grid. BC Hydro's line also connect at this building, taking the now high-voltage electricity (high voltage travels better) out to BC's electrical consumers.  Power generated on a good wind day will be roughly the equivalent to the South Peace region's entire needs, or about 30,600 average homes.

Next time: The towers arrive.

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