Thermomax takes solar-heat gathering to historic highs

When people hear Solar Panels they think electricity.  After all, the photo-voltaic electrical system that gets all the rave reviews and major marketing in the news is space age technology. But with all the hype, Photo Voltaic (PV) efficiency is actually only about 18% at most.
     

But there is another Solar – Thermal Solar in the form of solar panels and solar evacuated tubes. This technology is for heating your hot water, your radiant floor, your swimming pool. This form of solar energy can be up to 80% efficient. It’s completely renewable and return on investment can be as much as 15% a year – so in 8 - 10 years (depending on location) it could have paid for itself. Imagine paying off your hot water bill in 10 years and never paying again!
     

There are two main types of solar hot water heaters – flat plates, which are popular in warmer climates, and evacuated tubes. The tubes were developed in Europe in the 1970s and the first Thermomax evacuated tube factory was established in the UK. 
     

Patrick Spearing first became associated with Thermomax in 1979. When he moved to Canada in 1989 with his young family, he brought along the evacuated tube system and has never looked back. He became the representative for Canada, and, for a while, all of the US, out of his base in Victoria. Now, besides running his company Thermomax Industries Ltd., he has an excellent educational website www.solarThermal.com, and does trainings around the country for installers, architects, engineers and the general public. 
      

“The vacuum tube solar collectors absorb radiant energy from the sun in all weather conditions. The tubes are a perfect fit for areas such as our rainy west coast and our latitude." Spearing explains. “And in bright, cold areas such as Alberta, the reflection from the snow can increase the performance even further.  The light being collected within a vacuum means that we don’t lose the heat to the air – just like a thermos bottle.” 
     

A 1994 study commissioned by BC Hydro’s Power Smart Technical Services for Atlin BC states: “The evacuated tube technology is particularly suited for high collector to ambient temperature differential applications and for the collection of energy under partial sunlight conditions”.  This means it can reach high water temperatures even when it is cold and cloudy.  
     

The study goes on to say: “Note that the evacuated tube collector is approximately 1.6 to 4 times more effective than a flat plate collector. The higher efficiency results in the evacuated system needing a frontal collector area of only 3 square meters compared to a flat plate collector area of 5.96 square meters”. So a smaller collector is needed for the same annual performance.
     

The www.solarthermal.com website has performance graphs calculated from Environment Canada data at locations around the country, and you can look up the average performance in your area under “Regional Performance” on the website.
     

The Thermomax system is easy to install (it is much lighter than a flat plate collector and the wind can pass through between the tubes) and in appearance, looks lean and elegant, like a modern-day sculpture rather than a grey box sitting on a roof.  The tubes do not reflect sunlight and they discreetly blend into the roof. Pre-assembled, packaged components also make for straightforward and timely installation. The pump station contains all the fittings and safety devices for safe operation of the system, including valves to prevent heat leaving the hot water tank. The system is controlled by a differential controller. These can range from a simple one to a sophisticated one that can connect to the internet and log the performance of the system from a distance, an excellent tool for research and development.  
     

First Nations have been on the forefront of proving the Thermomax technology.  Municipal District of Opportunity of Wabasca in north-central Alberta began construction on the Wabasca Water World and Fitness Centre in 2002. At that time the planners researched solar power to offset some of the operating expenses. They sent a representative to Europe to search for the best technology and concluded that Thermomax had both the quality and track record needed for large jobs. The facility includes a 25 m swimming pool, whirl pool, sauna, steam room, and 2200 square foot weight training area. 
     

The Centre then installed the largest vacuum tube system in Canada in August of 2004. To provide a sense of scale, usually on a house one collector could be expected to provide domestic hot water for a family. 47 collectors were installed on that recreation centre! This system heats the main pool and whirl pool, the in-floor heating (deck, change rooms, lobby, and viewing area), and domestic water. Backed up with natural gas, the facility has saved approximately $10,000.00 per year with very little maintenance. Not only has the Municipal District of Opportunity saved money, it has raised significant interest in green technology and created a well-respected landmark in the community of Wabasca. 
     

"It's a matter of education and talking about this across Canada.” Spearing continues. “There is a lot of misinformation out there. We can operate solar heat generation in far lower temperature and sunlight conditions than most people believe possible. Proper design of the system is essential. Capital investment dollars are available for making these installations possible. And it truly is an investment: imagine putting a steel roof on your house. You know that roof is going to be trouble-free for a very long time.”
     

A lot of history bears out Spearing’s claims. Maintenance is low. Efficiency remains high over time. Replacing tubes is rare. "We have eight 25 year old systems operating in Seattle, Washington as we speak. I doubt you will find another vacuum tube system that can make such a claim.”
     

Okay, so this all may seem like rocket science....and then again, it might be as simple as feeling the sun warming your face.

Geothermal utility delivering new housing energy community-wide in B.C.

Geotility is a geothermal utility service that is the brain-child of Jim Leask of Kelowna, B.C., who envisioned natural gas and other non-renewable energy sources becoming less-affordable as time goes by. The energy options to burning fossil fuel were practically non-existent in North America when he started a mechanical company in the Okanagan Valley of B.C. in the early 1990s.

Rick Nelson works for Geotility in their Kelowna office, “Jim was a visionary in setting up a geothermal utility company in B.C.,” says Rick. “Running a geothermal utility is not that difficult in this province but different provinces have different rules.” In the province of B.C., meanwhile, Geotility has  found a lot of success by working with First Nations. “They are leaders in the green energy debate in this province.”

 

Geotility runs the Sun Rivers geothermal utility in Kamloops, a housing development that resides on land belonging to Kamloops Indian Band, and recently Geotility broke ground on a centralized geothermal utility service for a  brand new  housing development for the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, in Tofino, B.C., on Vancouver Island. “It's all geothermal in Tofino at the new the Esowista housing development of the Tla-o-qui-aht community.”

 

Rick says of the company he works for, “We're passionate about delivering geothermal services. What started as a mechanical company under Jim Leask and Sons has become a complete geothermal company,” he says, including all the services involved, from drilling to mechanical installations to heat distribution, billing and maintenance.

 

Rick says, “Basically Jim Leask saw the day 20 years ago when natural gas distribution would become more and more expensive and he began looking at the options.” As a mechanical engineer Jim Leask saw geothermal as the next step in energy services and geothermal was a perfect fit for mechanical company, so, “Seven years ago Geotility was launched to pave the way for the geothermal industry to operate at the same level as other utility services.”

 

Today Geotility even owns the drills (manufactured by Multi-Power Products in Kelowna). Geotility worked with Tom Ulm, Sr., of Multi-Power Products to design a drill to fit inside an underground parkade, and as a result, Geotility is able to retro-fit buildings in the core of a city's downtown with geothermal heating systems.  Drilling is underway directly beneath existing buildings like the Georgia Hotel in Vancouver, and the Hudson's Bay Building in downtown Victoria, “We have two modified drills with short masts that can operate in all ground conditions.”

 

Geotility designs the utility systems that run heat through whole communities. “We drill 700,000 feet per year and fill the holes with geothermal pipe.” For example since the ground was laid out for new housing on Esowista property, in Tofino, drilling is commencing to supply heat to the entire community of 160 new houses plus other facilities, including a new Long House and community facilities.

 

Jordan Parrot is one of the engineers at Geotility, and Jordan is in charge of the Esowista drilling program in Tofino starting this January. “It's one large geothermal field with centralized distribution of the hot water,” says Jordan. “We are doing the field engineering and mechanical design on this project. We are producing hot water for the geothermal array from hundreds of ground-loop drill holes.”

 

Jordan says the Esowista field is a large one, “It's a substantial size field, hundreds of holes. The drilling program will take three or four months to complete, depending on  the weather.” The company is hiring some of their required labour from the Tla-o-qui-aht community.

 

Moses Martin is housing manager for Esowista Housing, the department belonging to the Tla-o-qui-aht community based in Tofino. “Construction is underway,” says Moses, “the roads are roughed in and a new bridge was built to join this project to the existing Esowista community.” Sixty-eight is the number of new houses slated for immediate construction and another 100 houses will be built within the next five years.

 

Funding for the new housing development ($17 million )was obtained under the Canada Economic Action Plan and Moses says $3 million of that was earmarked for geothermal heating. “With the overall size of the project we anticipate the return of Tla-o-qui-aht families to Tofino from places like Port Alberni, Nanaimo, Victoria, and Seattle, Washington.”

 

Moses adds, “It's a well-rounded housing plan that includes the geothermal heating for the new Long House and an eventual school for the new community.” The bridge connects this subdivision, called Ty'Tan'Us, to the existing Esowista community and the nhe new community will have three access points, says Moses.

 

Tla-o-qui-aht members will be active in the building of all phases. “We are ramping up the workforce as we speak. We will have a team of labourers working throughout the phase, and phase one alone will supply jobs and paycheques for at least two years.” Some training and apprenticeship will ensue.

 

The skilled labour will be learning new aspects of construction, says Moses, “We are looking for better quality housing construction being put into these homes. We want these homes to last at least 50 years. We are looking hard at the quality of the houses and we're going for the LEED Gold Standard of green and sustainable housing construction.”

Hecate Strait windpower project to power Haida Gwaii

Lucy Shaw is director of North Coast relations for NaiKun Wind Energy and this puts her in touch with Haida councils, Tsimshian councils, and Gitxsan councils in the Pacific North West of Canada. A lot of the activity involves Council of Haida Nation business arrangements, but a submarine cable that will deliver the wind power to the BC Hydro mainland puts Lucy in touch with Tsimshian in Lax W Alaams and Metlakatla, and the Gitsugulka of the Gitxsan nation.
     

“I've been working in the project since 2006,” says Lucy. “Initial discussions began in 2002 and it was four years of negotiations between our corporate heads and their leadership that began to  move the project to the ready.” She says that by 2007 the Haida and NaiKun had signed a Memorandum of Understanding that began to formalize arrangements and by 2009 the commercial partnerships had been formed.
     

Everybody can be proud of the seven year effort but the First Nations in particular find wind power to be an attractive way to build capacity for economic development. “It meets the bottom line regarding stewardship, employment and training, and equity ownership with long-term income,” says Lucy.
     

Protection of the environment is one of the primary goals of the people of these unique islands, and the Haida NaiKun Wind Operating Limited Partnership was formed around principles that flowed from the earliest discussions. The Haida Nation partnership includes equal seats on the board of directors and equal say in day-to-day operations in the operations of the wind farm.
     

“The Haida Nation's interest in the project includes the wind power generation facilities planned for the giant Hecate Strait, and equity interest in the cables that will deliver power not only to the mainland but also to Haida Nation communities. “Haida is burning diesel to create electricity,” said Lucy. “They wanted to put an end to that,” which created the need for the Haida Link, a smaller cable from the NaiKun array of turbines that will power up Haida Gwaii.
     

Wind will supply 90 percent of the power on Haida Gwaii when the project is all connected.  Diesel power generation will remain as a back-up system and will be operational for one month out of each year. “The wind power generation of electricity is going to save 26,000 tonnes of green house gas emissions.
     

Construction is awaiting the permitting process, completion of a purchasing agreement for the power with BC Hydro, and Environmental Assessment Certificates from the province, and approvals from Haida Nation when everybody’s ducks are in a row. Then they raise the money and start to build it, “over a three year seasonal construction schedule,” says Lucy. “It's a six-month building season and we hope to prepare the way with pre-construction activities.”
     

Assembly points and warehousing facilities for construction materials will be arranged, surveys and arrays of turbines will be finalized, and once permitting and procedures are finished the project construction will commence in 2012. “Foundations are constructed in the first and second years, and towers are raised in the second and third years,” says Lucy. “The electricity will be flowing by 2015.”
     

The Hecate Strait is the giant body of water between Haida Gwaii and the mainland that once was coursed by boatloads of Haida warriors and traders in the coastal Potlatch economy. "It's a great wind source with consistent winds and a shallow, relatively flat seabed," says Lucy. 
     

Meanwhile offices in Skidegate and Massett provide the connections to the Haida communities and currently as group of Haida Nation representatives are touring England where wind power is well-established.

Complete green energy production has been set for 2020

Run Of River (ROR) Power develops renewable, sustainable energy through its portfolio of run-of-river and biomass projects in B.C., and the company is working toward biomass energy production by answering BC Hydro calls for power in energy production in wood waste. Rick Connors spoke on behalf of Western Biomass Power Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of ROR Power that runs out of Prince George, B.C.. 
    

"Our Suskwa project is taking advantage of First Nation natural resources in the Gitxsan traditional territory," a land-base that spans 33,000 sq km in the Pacific North West. "They have decadent forests and mountain pine beetle damaged wood fibre," says Connors,  "Rejuvenation of these decadent (80 year old) forests is necessary because they are no longer sequestering carbon." 

    

Connors notes that a healthy full grown hemlock will sequester 20 lbs of carbon per year and produce oxygen in abundance for people to breath. Due to their current condition the forests surrounding Hazelton and Smithers are ideal places to start seriously greening the Canadian economy. This 40 year project is designed to take out declining grades of wood and replace this decadent fibre with vibrant new forests. 
    

"We are proposing to build a high-pressure boiler to burn wood and heat water to create steam." Steam will spin a turbine, which charges a generator to produce 34 MWh of electrical energy. Connors says the project puts a $150 million economic infusion into a depressed area, and, "the Gitxsan people are partners having full ownership, buying in, and completely participating. And it is a project that provides links to all kinds of jobs in the forestry sector." 
    

A BC Hydro purchase of power from the plant would give Gitxsan a long-term cash flow running many years. The proposed plant site will be constructed on 16-acres including a former gravel pit operation outside of Hazelton,  says Connors, responsible re-application of land used as development property in the region.  
    

The power plant operations will employee 35 people full-time, and another 130 more jobs will be found in the 'periphery' doing  wood salvage, working in the greenhouse that provides seedlings to reforestation projects, and logging for a sawmill cooperative with Gitxsan license holders feeding the fibre from an Annual Allowable Cut in their territory. 
    

Suskwa depends largely on decadent forests for fibre, and other biomass fuel loads will be found in MPB killed lodgepole pine. The plant has been designed for a 40-year life span. The Run Of River Power development in Gitxsan is joined by an even bigger biomass power proposal (that has a shorter life span of about 20 years), says Connors. 
    

"The 60 MWh Tsilhqot’in Biomass Power Project is to be located 75 kms west of  Williams Lake in Hanceville, B.C.," and most of the biomass fuel for this energy production will be found in the MPB forests of the central interior. The Tsilhqot’in proposal is a 50/50 partnership with the First Nations and these folks have a huge problem with 'beetle' kill in their forests. They have less work to do in reversing decadent forest conditions. 
    

In this regard the Tsilhqot’in proposal focuses on beetle kill (and reforestation), which shortens the time span of energy generation according to this one-shot consumption of beetle damaged trees. Meanwhile the BC government's self-sufficiency targets for energy production are slated to be 2016, and the goal of complete green energy production has been set for 2020, says Connors. Carbon-neutral biomass projects contribute to government meeting both objectives. 

    

The ROR Power focus on B.C. has been based on First Nation initiative in all corners of the province. They have one fully operating run-of-river power generation facility on Brandywine Creek near Whistler with a rated capacity of 7.6 MW. They built close working relationships with First Nations of Squamish and Lil'wat communities. The turn into biomass includes the aforementioned partnerships. The company is presently developing five run-of-river project clusters totaling 639 MW of potential capacity. 
    

The green energy initiatives coming from IPPBC members like ROR Power are "creating opportunities where there are no opportunities to be found otherwise." Furthermore, says Connors, "The use of forestry biomass to create energy is proven technology and forestry byproducts have long been in use for energy production of forestry facilities in B.C.. The projects like Suskwa and Tsilhqot’in are taking energy production values from biomass to a new business level."  

Vancouver 2010 Olympics security an impressive array

The security budget for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics ballooned from $84 million to $330 million in the post 9/11 world. In Greece, where 70,000 security persons were on patrol for the 2004 Summer Olympics, the government spent $1.5 billion,  including a ratio of approximately 7:1 in security-to- athletes.
 

Meanwhile in Vancouver the 2010 Winter Olympics security costs will be more than twice the original estimate of $175 million, according to former Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day (the department  now under Hon. Peter Van Loan). Day said in 2007 that the original estimate was “drastically low” and that the cost will be, "more than $400 million but less than $1 billion."
     

The revised estimates made by Day were not surprising considering Canadian security agencies plan to use planes, tanks, ships, and about 13,000 military and police personnel to secure the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games. Despite the massive number, a security network will be working hard to keep a low profile in the midst of half a million visitors.
     

As an example, Canadian Forces personnel and equipment will be apparent only during ceremonial events. Nevertheless the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games will take place under  the largest security operation ever held in Canada. This massive security force will be managed using an array of surveillance technologies, with closed-circuit cameras, electronic sensors, and unmanned aerial vehicles aloft over Olympic venues in Vancouver and Whistler. 
     

Armed soldiers and helicopters will be present in Vancouver in the background and  overall security  will include RCMP, the military, and other security operatives. These games will feature surveillance  by hundreds of cameras throughout Olympic venues using face-recognition technology.
     

The planning and preparation of Olympic security has been extensive. A three-stage series of exercises occurred at the direction of the 2010 Olympic Integrated Exercise Program, and the last exercise took place from Nov. 2-6, 2009. The three stage program consisted of complementary exercises increasing in scope.
     

Exercise Bronze took place in Nov. 2008, and examined regional safety and security issues. Exercise Silver was held Feb. 2009  and tested safety and security plans, procedures, and coordination. Exercise Gold was a full-scale operational exercise designed to prove that federal, provincial, regional, and municipal organizations stand coordinated and ready to respond to any possible emergency.

     

The exercises provided a realistic environment with mock casualties, and  involved a response from  first responders including police and fire services. Exercise Gold took place in controlled areas and brought together 140 federal, provincial, municipal and private sector organizations to test communication and coordination between the organizations. Everything happened away from the public eye as organizations worked from operational centres.
    

 “As hosts of the 2010 Winter Games, we are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for athletes, visitors and Canadians,” said Hon. Peter Van Loan. “That is why Canada has taken a comprehensive approach to security planning.  We are on track to deliver a safe and secure Games so that what people remember is the celebration and excitement of the competition, not questions of security.”
    

 “In a few short months we will welcome the world to British Columbia as we play host to the 2010 Winter Games,” said Hon. Kash Heed, BC Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General to media at the beginning of November. “Working with our partners in the federal and local governments, we will ensure these Games are safe and secure for all.” 
      

Bud Mercer is Chief Operating Officer of the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit, who said, “Exercise Gold represented years of planning, integration and preparation with local, provincial, national and international safety and security partners. 2010 will be an historic year for British Columbia and Canada, but the safety and security inter-agency cooperation and relationships will remain in place for years to come."  
      

Police have identified several threats to Olympic security, including anti-globalization, anti-corporate, and First Nations activists, not to mention international extremist organizations like al-Qaida, which already laid down threats to the London 2012 Summer Games. Organized crime remains, however, the highest security risk to the 2010 Games.
      

The ISU identified a number of domestic and international threats, including the nation's engagement in Afghanistan, which has put a different light on Canada in the international community, causing al-Qaida to warn Canada to withdraw from Afghanistan or risk attacks similar to 9/11 and bombings in London and Madrid.
      

Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) linked vandalism against sponsors like Royal Bank Canada to protests against the Games. CSIS also noted a group called the Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement has toured North America to stir protests against the Vancouver games.“I think you get a very definite sense that (Vancouver's Olympics are) a likely target,” said David Harris, a former CSIS officer who is director of international and terrorist intelligence programs at Insignis Strategic Research.
      

To buttress security options in October 2009, the provincial government gave host municipalities (Richmond, Vancouver, and Whistler) the power to enter residences between Feb. 1 and Mar. 31, 2010, to seize signs considered "anti-olympic." A further amendment gave Vancouver the power to fine up to $10,000 and imprisonment up to six months for sign and bylaw violations.
      

The reasons for opposition include security expenses to taxpayers (said in 2008 to be $580 million), and possible losses to be incurred including debt in the Olympic Village development, which was supposed to be profitable but is possibly running in the red to the tune of millions.
      

Opponents cite destruction of environment, loss of affordable housing, and use of the Olympics to force a $2 billion rapid transit link from Downtown Vancouver to the airport. Opposition to the Olympics is found amongst First Nations people and their supporters. 
     

The federal government will cover the cost of security at the border, at Vancouver International Airport,  and for international VIPs, while the B.C. government and federal government will split the cost of security for Olympic venues.
     

A First Nation security company called T’musta7 Aboriginal Protection Services will  provide security services to the Resort Municipality of Whistler and to other businesses, including Crown Corporations, during 2010 Winter Games. Owner Lyle Leo of Mt. Currie First Nation is focused on the Sea-to-Sky area. “We are looking at 100 pairs of boots on the ground within the next two or three months,” said Leo. 
     

“We are closer than ever to operational status since clarifying and renewing business relations. We had to rethink our plans after VANOC rejected our bid for services directly related to the 2010 Olympics,” he explained, but Leo remained firm in his resolve. “We were the only Aboriginal group prepared with troops on the ground,” he said, “and to be honest, it was quite disappointing to be rejected by VANOC.” 
      

T’Musta7 reassessed in order to create a sustainable long-term opportunity as a sub-contractor, and has recruited security personnel to  establish their preparedness by securing public events like music festivals in Whistler and a 4x4 rally at Pemberton. 
      

Leo  recruited First Nation personnel exclusively and was joined by Chief Don Harris of Douglas First Nation, who is, according to Leo, “making a lot of headway for Aboriginal community economic development since partnering in run-of-river projects. They want to take part with organizing opportunities for First Nations with the 2010 Winter Games.
    

 “Chief Harris is tuned in with changes in the Aboriginal community with his participation with the election of National Chief Shawn Atleo and the opening of the Osoyoos Business Centre, Leo has applied for security services contracts through Crown Corporation Procurement processes. 
     

Chief Harris said of T’Musta7, “We are recruiting in the Lower Mainland where Douglas First Nation has a lot of members. I am working onpolitical agreements with INAC to get people trained for employment. Lyle has contracts and we had 40-hour training program start with up to 20 more recruits.”\