Category Archives: PC Students at Race Rocks

Race Rocks Tidal Turbine Generator

Posted on by

Connor Scheu and Wouter Zwart April 2, 2009 . Race Rocks Tidal Turbine GeneratorUWCpearsoncollegeicon

Background:

Ed note: Connor communicated with Russ Stothers of Clean Current for his project;

“Here is a simple synopsis of the project I will be doing this week. It is called a group four project (which pertains to the experimental science department here at the college), and the theme for everyones project is resource allocation/sustainability. Every student has to decide upon a project in which they will research something in this area. This usually involves the identification of a question, and then variables, presented in a lab format and accompanied by a presentation, but not overly formal. Continue reading →

Puget Sound Partnership-Pearson College Participates

Posted on by
On February 8-11th, 2009, Ryan Murphy, Race Rocks Ecoguardian and resident marine scientist, attended with students Adam Harding and Radu Macovei, the Puget Sound, Georgia Basin Ecosystem Conference in Seattle– Our thanks to Conference Co-Chair Chris Townsend for inviting Lester Pearson College to participate. The following is an excerpt from the conference website.See the Proceedings of the Conference: http://depts.washington.edu/uwconf/psgb/proceedings/table_of_contents.html

“The biennial Puget Sound Georgia Basin Ecosystem Conference is the largest, most comprehensive scientific research and policy conference in the Salish Sea region. The 2009 conference, hosted by the Puget Sound Partnership and Environment Canada, built upon the experience of previous conferences by connecting scientific research and management techniques to priorities for meaningful action. The 2009 conference theme was The Future of the Salish Sea: A Call to Action. Since 2003, the conference has moved from chronicling science research to exploring the science/policy interface. The 2009 conference theme captured this progression from sound science to informed action. Conference participants had the opportunity to apply shared knowledge by developing priorities and a commitment to post-conference engagement.
Conference sub-themes included:
Air Quality & Climate Change
Ecosystem Management Strategies and Techniques
Habitat, Land Use, and Species
Marine & Freshwater Resources “

Adam Harding presented The Pearson College-EnCana-Clean Current Tidal Power Demonstration Project at Race Rocks

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/designer_psp/collections/72157613549032493/
Videos:
http://www.psp.wa.gov/videos/mediaplayer/video_library_psgb.php
Publications:
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2009/2/10/145023/460http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2009/2/6/16054/64735

 

adam

A video from the Puget Sound Partnership Conference with Adam Harding presenting the Call to Action in the Day 3 Closing Session. Click to start.
For the complete set of video of the plenary sessions see this link:
http://www.psp.wa.gov/videos/mediaplayer/video_library_psgb.php

 

 

Adam Harding’s Presentation at Puget Sound Georgia Basin Ecosystem Conference, 2009

Posted on by

 

ADAM HARDING, LESTER B PEARSON COLLEGE OF THE PACIFIC/RACE ROCKS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE TIDAL ENERGY SESSION: PROCEEDINGS

The Pearson College-EnCana-Clean Current Tidal Power Demonstration Project at Race Rocks

Introduction

“Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific is a unique two year pre-university school for two hundred students selected from around the world based solely on their personal merit, potential and demonstrated commitment to engage actively in creating a better world. All students attend on a full scholarship and live together while studying the International Baccalaureate program and pursuing explicitly the mission of the United World Colleges to make education a ‘force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future’” (Pearson College 2009).

While at the College, students have the unique opportunity to help manage Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, located 15 minutes south of the college by boat, or 22 kilometres (10 nautical miles) southwest of Victoria. Race Rocks contains an amazing diversity of life – terrestrial, avian and marine, benthic and pelagic. The set of islands also have great historical, cultural and anthropological significance. The lighthouse was constructed in 1860 to help mariners navigate the treacherous waters of the Juan de Fuca Strait, and for centuries, First Nations people have used the islands as a rich marine resource. 2000 year old burial cairns on Great Race Rock stand as a testament to this.

Currently, Race Rocks is managed on a 30 year lease from BC Parks by Pearson College. Students and faculty at Pearson College play crucial role, from conservation efforts to research and development, to storing decades long records and raising funding for the Reserve. The College also employs a full time Eco-Guardian who maintains a human presence on the Reserve.

The traditional energy system

Electricity at Race Rocks is, and always has been, and important resource needed for the complex computer system with integrated weather data and remote controlled cameras allowing for all to view the island with no ecological footprint. It is also needed to support the full time Eco-Guardian who maintains a human presence on the Reserve.

Electricity at Race Rocks has traditionally been generated by two fixed, 15kW diesel generators. However, when Pearson College took over management in 1997, operating costs were passed onto the College. These costs were originally CAD $11 000 a year; however, this soon rose to CAD $20 000/year.

Environmental impacts were also great: at about 50 000L/year marine grade diesel combustion, the system contributed 133.5 tonnes/year of CO2 to the atmosphere. This figure does not include the emissions associated with extraction, refinement and transportation. Also, the possibility of an equipment failure during transport, pumping of fuel oil across the island or combustion in the generators could have a significant ecological impact if fuel ever escaped from the system.

Page1of4

ADAM HARDING, LESTER B PEARSON COLLEGE OF THE PACIFIC/RACE ROCKS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE TIDAL ENERGY SESSION: PROCEEDINGS

Generator noise was also a concern—the impacts of noise on communicative behaviour on animals and birds are not fully known, although it can be speculated that there may be an impact on predator response capability and mating/nesting behaviour. Furthermore, the diesel tanks, although adhering to environmental standards, are vulnerable in an earthquake, and severe weather and tidal currents common to the area would make containment of a spill impossible.

The Pearson College – EnCana-Clean Current Tidal Power Demonstration

Project at Race Rocks

In 2001, A feasibility study conducted by master’s program candidate Taco Niet through the Institute of Integrated Energy Systems at the University of Victoria identified that “sufficient renewable resources (tidal, wind and solar) were available to develop an integrated energy system that was capable of providing a reliable power supply to Race Rocks” and that, “tidal energy would have the least environmental impact due to the size of the system required and would provide the most reliable power source with the least amount of required storage” (Niet and McLean 2001).

In 2005, EnCana Corporation sponsored Clean Current Power Systems Incorporation of Vancouver to build, install, operate and monitor a 65kW free-stream tidal generator in 13 metres of water at Race Rocks. Thus, the Pearson College-EnCana-Clean Current Tidal Power Demonstration Project at Race Rocks was born. From January to September 2006, drilling, piling installation and cable laying for the turbine took place in the water surrounding the Reserve. Then, on September 27, 2006 the turbine was delivered and finally installed at Race Rocks. For the first time, the islands fell silent as the generators ceased operation.

In January 2007, 38 solar panels delivering 6.5kW of electricity in total were installed on the roof of the Integrated Energy Center. They were funded by a grant from the BC Ministry of Mines and Energy.

In April 2007, the turbine removed from the water for upgrades. The generators began operation again. Then, on October 17, 2008, the turbine was reinstalled at Race Rocks. Upgrades included stainless steel bearings, a new lubricating system with environmentally friendly lubricants, a new electrical wire protection system, better blade configuration, reinforced augmenter duct and ring, and reinforced central struts.

This new deployment will enable a further test of the seaworthiness of the turbine. Perfecting the structure and its operation in difficult ocean conditions is the goal of the experimental phase of the project. However, although the turbine is mounted in the water, it is not currently generating electricity. Upgrades are being completed in the land-based system of the project (the starter motor is being replaced). It is hoped that operations should begin soon. The idea will be to start slowly by running the turbine for a few hours each day, then slowly increasing the amount of time it is run for until it is fully operational.

Page2of4

ADAM HARDING, LESTER B PEARSON COLLEGE OF THE PACIFIC/RACE ROCKS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE TIDAL ENERGY SESSION: PROCEEDINGS

Environmental impacts of the tidal energy program

A report by Archipelago Marine Research Ltd. (AMR) in 2006 identified environmental impacts of the tidal turbine project before construction, during construction and after construction. During construction, AMR notes that “Overall results from these observations suggested that there was very little impact on the wildlife within the Reserve” (Archipelago Marine Research 2006).

After construction (data collected 45 days after drilling), AMR notes that there were some ongoing impacts from dredging that extend 20 metres along the cable route and west along the direction of tidal flow. Also present are some exposed areas of bedrock and clay. Organisms had begun to inhabit the submarine cable exterior. Some evidence is present that the cable anchor block had dislodged giant acorn barnacles, although the impact was very limited and localised. There was no impact to vegetation or other sensitive invertebrate species (Archipelago Marine Research 2006).

It is not fully known at this time what impact the turbine itself has on the organisms, especially cetaceans and pinnipeds. However, Glen Darou, president and CEO of Clean Current Power Systems Inc., and other experts note that the effect is negligible, as “The only things that can swim in fast moving currents are things that can”; that is, they will be able to manoeuvre around it (Dove 2008). At a spin of roughly 60 rpm with no suction, there is little threat to organisms. It is hoped to install a camera on the turbine someday to monitor how animals react to it and the low hum it produces.

The future

Glen Darou, president and CEO of Clean Current Power Systems Inc., notes that “We believe it is highly exportable technology, with strong potential to succeed in international settings” (Skilling 2005). And more recently, “A 200-tonne turbine is being developed for the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia…Some European countries are starting to take interest” (Dove 2008). Clean Current is also working on turbines for shallow tidal areas or rivers that would be able to fit on a flatbed truck and could be plugged in on land.

However, Race Rocks won’t be Clean Current’s laboratory forever. Eventually Pearson College and BC Parks will be responsible for the turbine.

In the meantime, the Race Rocks Tidal Energy Generator has been an immense success. At Race Rocks, we are now able to generate electricity from a renewable source, negating the huge traditional energy system concerns. And for the students of Pearson College, the turbine is a huge learning experience; with students from 100 countries around the world, the turbine serves as a unique demonstration of the potential for alternative energy. Highly committed citizens of the world, Pearson students will take their experiences with the tidal turbine to their home countries when they leave Canada. Hopefully, some will put these ideas into action, developing alternative energy sources in their own countries.

Page3of4

ADAM HARDING, LESTER B PEARSON COLLEGE OF THE PACIFIC/RACE ROCKS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE TIDAL ENERGY SESSION: PROCEEDINGS

Bibliography

Dove, Amy. “Harnessing power from the ocean.” Goldstream News Gazette, October 22, 2008.
“Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific.” Lester B. Pearson United World College of the

Pacific. http://www.pearsoncollege.ca (accessed 5 March 2009).

Niet, T, McLean, G. “Race Rocks Sustainable Energy Development.” Paper presented at 11th Canadian Hydrographic Conference, Victoria, British Columbia, June 2001.

Skilling, David. EnCana partners to enable Pearson College-EnCana-Clean Current Tidal Power Demonstration Project at Race Rocks, BC. Press release by Lester B. Pearson College, Victoria, British Columbia, February 25, 2005.

“Summary Report on Environmental Monitoring Related to the Pearson College-EnCana-Clean Current Tidal Power Demonstration Project at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve.” Final report by Archipelago Marine Research, Victoria, British Columbia, December 2006.

Page4of4

You may also access this in the PDF: 1E_Adam Harding

Also available :taken from the website: http://depts.washington.edu/uwconf/psgb/proceedings/papers/p5_hardi.pdf

Underwater Materials Performance Testing-Succession/Fouling

Posted on by

 

In December of 2007,The Pearson College Divers installed a set of junction boxes as part of a materials testing experiment for the tidal energy project

Procedure 1 Dec 7, 2007– Purpose: To test performance and resistance to fouling of PVC junction boxes and sealant compounds
Procedure 2 Jan 10, 2008– Purpose: to test resistance to fouling and corrosion of different alloys of Stainless Steel as well as various types of fasteners.
Procedure 3 Purpose: to protect submarine cables from chafing on sharp rocky edges
Procedure 4 Purpose: To prevent corrosion of steel Ibeam supporting and holding power and control cables through intertidal zone.
Procedure 5 Purpose: To provide ballast to steel Ibeam carrying power cables in intertidal zone preventing movement during heavy surge.

Original Engine Room at Race Rocks – (1860s)

Posted on by
Foundation of the original engine room from the tower. February 2007 Foundation looking south.February 2007 Foundation looking north. February 2007
Flywheel from the air compressor The flywheel is mounted on a bed of bricks, excavated from rubble piles near the tower
A moon shot of the flywheel below the tower.

​

​

 

Against the rock wall above the original concrete foundation of the old engine room, and below the tower, a group led by Hannah and Giovanni on one Project week did the digging out of soil, and replacement with crushed rock. . This allowed the creation of a natural looking corner for the old historic engine room equipment.
In this photo Hannah is on the bucket brigade carrying gravel.		 Some of the artifacts that had accumulated by 2005. In 2006, the area had taken on a life of its own
/td>
Sylvia and Alex Chan examine the old engine parts. Looking straight down from the tower on the east side, one can see the concrete pathway which we believe went to the blacksmith shop. In the past, many old pieces of equipment were simply pushed over the side. In 2006,the old boiler which lay rusting in the intertidal zone for many years was starting to break up.
The storms in the winter of 2006 dispersed the parts of the boiler These pieces which are now small enough to move will be transferred to the collecting area. The other end of the boiler. This was carried up to shore on February 12, 2007 by members of the racerocks.com activity.See below. The hurricane in December 2006 moved rocks exposing more rubble below the energy building.
Link to the file on bricks of Race Rocks

The last of the rusted parts of the old boiler from the engine room shown above are carried up by Pearson College students in the Race Rocks Activity in 2007 to be part of the collection of other old parts stored at the base of the tower.

Dermasterias imbricata: Leather star–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

Posted on by

Domain Eukarya

Usually when we find leather stars at Race Rocks, a search in the grooves underneath will reveal a symbiont, the scaleworm Arctonoe vittata. The worm also associates with various other marine invertebrates, but if separated from its host, will search out another member of the same species. The main predator of this sea star is the morning sun star

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Asteroidea
Order Valvatida
Family ASteropseidae
Genus Dermasterias
Species imbricata. (Dermasterias imbricata )(Grube, 1857)
Common Name: Leather Star

Garry Fletcher

Artificial Tidepool #13 peg #5

Posted on by

The rockwork done to seal the southern entrance

This artificial pool was made under permit from BC Parks by Mike Slater and Garry Fletcher in June, 1999. It is part of a long range succession study.
See also below for “AFTER the HURRICANE”

AFTER THE HURRICANE OF DECEMBER 15, 2006  (newspaper item)

Tidepool Index:

Posted on by

These pools are located 0n the West side of Great Race Rocks. They are located at slightly different elevations resulting in different abiotic factors in the pools and different life forms in the pools as well. Our students brave the elements to get some measurements in this video

Pool 9.. file not completed

Tidepool 11: No File for this pool

The Johan Ashuvud Memorial

Posted on by

It is unlikely that the creation of the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve in 1980 would have happened except for the efforts of an 18 year old Pearson College student from Sweden.

johan Johan Ashuvud, a student from 1978-1980, was in the Marine Science class and the Diving Service as part of IB his program at the college.
He devoted a great amount of energy in helping to direct a group of students in an extensive diving and research program in order to demonstrate the need for a Reserve at Race Rocks.

dv1Johan Ashuvud SCUBA diving at Race Rocks 1979

 

 

 

ellisIn the fall of 1979 he helped organize a workshop to investigate the creation of a reserve at Race Rocks involving provincial and university officials. Johan was instrumental in drawing up the draft proposal with staff of the Ecological reserves branch of the Parks Department in the provincial government and even helped in guiding the Deputy Minister of Parks on an underwater tour of the reserve.

sw4mJens Jensen from Denmark,and Johan Asuvud attach a transect line onto the top of the rarely exposed Rosedale Reef, South of Race Rocks at an extreme low tide.  At that point they were standing on the most southerly point in Western Canada!

Jballanac27-1ohan’s underwater photography was the first done by students of the college and was to become very valuable in helping to promote conservation of the beautiful life forms there
A gallery of some of his work is available here.

celeb80When the Ecological Reserve at Race Rocks was declared in 1980 by the provincial government, the group of students who had worked on the proposal made a celebratory trip to Race Rocks to tell the lightkeepers Trev and Flo Anderson of the great news. (Johan is on crutches after returning from a holiday in Mexico where he had had a collision with a bus!)

sw7A few weeks later, Trev and Flo invited the core group back to present the “Order of Race Rocks” for the great work done. Johan (center of photo) and other divers with whom he had worked, were given the special presentation by Trev and Flo Anderson to express their thanks for the work done.
When Johan graduated from Pearson College, he went on to the School of Economics in Stockholm, Sweden, where he obtained his Master’s degree in Environmental Economics. His first job was in Costa Rica with the International Union for the Conservancy of Nature (IUCN). There he continued his interest in getting special places preserved, as he worked to convince officials in Parks Departments of Central American governments to preserve their Natural Heritage.

Almost 10 years after he left Pearson College, on a trip back to Sweden in April of 1988, Johan died in a car accident. Our college community was deeply saddened by this tragic event. Johan left his wife and a soon to be born daughter.
Johan would be the first to urge young people from all countries to never give up with environmental concerns. He proved to us that youth can make a significant impact in the world by getting actively involved in working to preserve such special places as Race Rocks.

In 2000, The family of Johan contributed the Johan Ashuvud Memorial Fund to be administered in Trust by Lester B. Pearson College . The purpose of the fund is to support with the annual proceeds environmental activities, research and projects undertaken by present and former students of Pearson related to the Race Rocks Marine Reserve.

  • In June 2000, Several students with faculty member Garry Fletcher did a week-long series of webcasts from the Ecological reserve for the Johan Ashuvud Week
  • In June 2001, students Damien Guihen and Jean Olivier Dalphond spent several weeks at Race Rocks, doing webcasts, and producing QuickTime Virtual Reality and QuickTime Videos for the archives of racerocks.com.
  • In June 2002 four students are doing an educational webcasting program from Race Rocks.
  • Almost every year since 2002, a few students from the college stay behind after others leave at the end of the term in May to go to Race Rocks for a project week which we still call “The Johan Ashuvud Week”

One of the last papers published by Johan on his work for the IUCN in Central America :

Ashuvud, Johan, “Environmental Conservation for Development in Central America” C. Folke and T. Kåberger ed. Linking the Natural Environment and the Economy: Essays from the Eco-Eco Group, (Boston, MA: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1991): 253-270.

ASACODE, Asociación San Migueleña para la Conservación y el Desarrollo, tiene un Albergue para la recepción de turismo en una finca dedicada al manejo integral del bosque, que fue donada por UICN y que lleva el nombre de Johan Ashuvud.

*” Talamancan Ecotourism and Conservation (ATEC) Association, provided training Tourism naturalist guides, who work in Talamanca (local communities). ATEC works as tour operator working directly with the community. * ASACODE, San Miguelena Association for Conservation and Development, has a Hostel for receipt of tourism in an area dedicated to integrated forest management, which was donated by IUCN and named Johan Ashuvud. * There are a number of private initiatives to develop tourism hotels which will generate pressure on the resources of the Refuge.”

In December 2014,  a memorial bronze plaque was installed at Race Rocks to commemorate Johan and the work that he did to help in the creation of the Race Rocks Ecological reserve: Click to enlarge.2014-12-28johanplaque

The plaque can be seen from the remote camera 1. It  faces the tower on the rock near the path intersection below the tower.