The City of Yorkton is going to submit an expression of interest to Sask Power to be considered for the Self-generated Electricity Demonstration Project for Rinks.
The decision was a unanimous one by Yorkton Council at its regular meeting Monday.
Darcy McLeod, Director of Community Development, Parks & Recreation explained the program is a new one.
"Sask Power recently announced a pilot program called the Self-generated Electricity Demon-stration Project for Rinks which will explore the economic and environmental benefits of self-generated power projects at municipal ice rinks. Two community rinks in Saskatchewan will be selected to install wind turbines to determine if self-generation can help community rinks lower their electricity costs. Sask Power would monitor the performance of the wind turbine for a period of up to five years with the data obtained guiding future programs and opportunities in order to make the operation of ice rinks in Saskatchewan more affordable for communities. They are estimating that up to 65 per cent of the power required by each rink can be generated by a wind turbine," he said.McLeod said Yorkton is in a good area for the project.
"Yorkton is located in what is termed a "Good Energy Area" as identified by Sask Power and the Kinsmen Arena is of a sufficient size that it
could benefit from the project. The project would involve the installation of a wind turbine in the vicinity of the Kinsmen Arena. The turbine would be approximately 164 feet high (50 meters), which is slightly higher than the Yorkton Water Tower, which is 150 feet high. Sask Power indicates that rinks could benefit from self-generated electricity during the operating season, or other high-use times, and receive credit for excess power during periods of reduced demand and in the off-season," he explained.
The cost of the pilot project is also extremely favourable.
"The capitol costs for the demonstration project would be funded by Sask Power including purchase, installation and maintenance costs of the turbine for up to five years," said McLeod.
McLeod said there are considerations regarding the placement of the wind turbine.
Sask Power suggests the following considerations be taken into account when selecting a site for a wind turbine since the installed turbine will be approximately 50 meters in total height, he said.
There should be a clear distance of at least 150 meters around the turbine, free from houses, playgrounds, roads, parking lots and other general infrastructure.
The site should have minimal obstructions to the wind particularly in the prevailing wind directions.Participation in the project would also provide the City with some useful information.
"The City of Yorkton could take this opportunity to partner with Sask Power to learn more about wind turbine technology and its effects in the Yorkton area so that informed decisions can be made on future requests for wind turbine installations in Yorkton," explained McLeod.
"Sask Power has indicated that interested communities must submit an expression of interest by January 14, 2011. This expression of interest does not commit the City to the program but rather helps Sask Power evaluate our facility as a potential site. If our facility qualifies, we will be asked to submit our proposal providing additional information to Sask Power by January 31, 2011. The two sites will be selected from the various proposals by the end of March 2011 with installation planned for the fall of 2011."
Councillor Ross Fisher said supporting the idea made sense, with, "Sask Power willing to pay for all the capital costs, there doesn't seem to be a down side to participate in this.
"It makes sense we would submit a letter-of-intent."
Coun. Les Arnelien asked what the electricity savings could be with the wind turbine?
"We haven't done any calculations at all," replied McLeod, adding that is part of why Sask Power is doing the pilot project.
