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Official opening on July 5 for the new turbine at Chapman Creek Hatchery. L to R: Mayor John Henderson, Diana Nacer (IRAP), Rolf Stokhuysen (IRAP), Don Petry (SCSES), Harold Foster, (SCSES), MLA Nicholas Simons, John Tesloveneau (SCSES), David Burnett (Pres., SCSES), Kris Verhulst (GEN-ZED Construction), Michael Snook (SCSES) cut the ribbon. Photo submitted
The Sunshine Coast Salmonid Enhancement Society held the official opening of its micro turbine power project on Saturday, July 5.
The project uses three small hydro-electric turbines to generate up to 30,000 Kilowatt hours per year of electricity that will be fed back into the BC Hydro Grid.
This reduces the cost of operating for the Hatchery, reduces its carbon footprint, and makes it a greener facility.
The turbines are operated by water already flowing through the Hatchery. The project was designed to be a demonstration project and a field research site for those interested in similar projects for other small hatcheries or other facilities.
The project was funded by the National Research Council’s IRAP program, by the Pacific Salmon Foundation, Vancity, the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation, by contributions from local businesses and contractors including Gen-Zed Contracting, the lead contractor on the project, and Olson Electric, which was responsible for the electrical aspects of the project, and an individual donation from coast resident and long-time hatchery volunteer Harold Foster.
The project was conceived by Don Petry, who worked with the engineering firm Carnotech Energy of Vancouver, to come up with the original design. In recognition of his many years of dedicated service to Chapman Creek Hatchery, the micro power facility has been name the Don Petry Powerhouse.
Submitted by Sunshine Coast Salmonid Enhancement Society
