TIDAL CURRENT :RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR RACE ROCKS

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Complete Video Coverage of the Announcement at Pearson College

 TV and Print Media Coverage of the event.

Press Release : CANA PARTNERS TO ENABLE PEARSON COLLEGE – ENCANA – CLEAN CURRENT TIDAL POWER DEMONSTRATION PROJECT AT RACE ROCKS, BC Victoria

– Thanks to an innovative partnership between Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific, EnCana Corporation and Clean Current Power Systems Incorporated, Canada’s first free-stream tidal power project will be built at the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, offshore of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The project will enable the world famous marine park to tap into surrounding ocean currents and convert tidal energy to electric power for its needs beginning in early 2006. Making the announcement were:
Gwyn Morgan, President and CEO of EnCana,
Glen Darou, President and CEO of Clean Current,
Richard Neufeld, British Columbia Minister of Energy and Mines,
and Stuart Walker, Director of Pearson College.

 

Gwyn Morgan

Gwyn Morgan

Officially known as the “Pearson College – EnCana – Clean Current Tidal Power Demonstration Project at Race Rocks,” the project is enabled by a $3-million investment from the EnCana Environmental Innovation Fund. “EnCana is pleased to be a partner in this first-class, alternative energy project,” said Morgan. “Our investment in this B.C.-based unconventional environmental and power technology reflectsour desire to tangibly encourage innovative energy solutions.” EnCana’s Environmental Innovation Fund was established to advance new technologies and solutions that improve environmental performance associated with consuming and producing energy. Commercial proceeds from financed projects will be re-invested into the fund to ensure their sustainability.

 

Richard Neufeld

“The commitment by Premier Campbell in promoting alternative energy sources has helped British Columbia become a world leader in sustainable environmental management,” said Neufeld. “The province commends projects like this one, as they show our commitment to developing clean energy solutions that will benefit all British Columbians.” The multi-year demonstration project will involve the installation, operation and monitoring of a 65kW free-stream tidal turbine generator in the water near Race Rocks, a provincial ecological reserve located 10 nautical miles southwest of Victoria.

Glen Darou

Clean Current is a private British Columbia-based company that designs and licenses technology that efficiently converts the energy of tidal currents into electricity. Clean Current’s proprietary technology consists of a horizontal-axis ducted turbine with a direct-drive variable speed permanent magnet generator. The turbine generator is equally efficient in both directions as the tidal currents reverse twice each day. “This Canadian technology is simple, efficient and environmentally friendly,” said Darou. “We believe it is highly exportable technology, with strong potential to succeed in international settings. Our company is delighted to have the support of EnCana, Pearson College, and technical partners AMEC, Powertech Labs Inc. and Triton Consultants Ltd.”

Pearson College, one of ten United World Colleges worldwide, is the custodian of the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, located three nautical miles from campus. Diesel-powered generators currently provide electricity requirements at the reserve. Students and staff will work elements of the tidal power demonstration project into their studies. “This is a terrific project for Pearson College, in that it supports our goal of making the ecological reserve a showcase for alternative, low-impact technologies such as tidal power,” said Walker. “We would like to thank Clean Current for their commitment to developing the technology and EnCana for the financial support that is making this demonstration project possible.”

Second Year Pearson College student Alyssa Holland (year 30) concluded the presentation , by thanking the speakers. As a student involved in Environmental Systems and the diving program, she shared the enthusiasm she has for the resources of the area and emphasized the great importance she and other students attach to the effort of those involved in this project in the ongoing goal of producing energy sustainably.

Dave Skilling

Communications Coordinator
Lester B. Pearson College
250-391-2479
www.pearsoncollege.ca
www.racerocks.ca

 

Aechmophorus occidentalis: western Grebe__ The Race ROcks Taxonomy

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Western grebes overwinter here on Southern Vancouver Island in the protected coastal bays. Three pairs were seen in Pedder bay throughout January and February of 2006. They feed on fish at night following trails of bioluminescence as the fish swim through the water. ( see reference below)

It may surprize some to know that this is one of the few prairie pond birds which do not migrate South during the winter, but instead migrate West over the Rocks mountains to the Coastal Bays of Vancouver Island.

The Western Grebe is classified by the Alberta Government as a Species at Risk. This Field Summary gives further information on it.

Research on Foraging indicating a night-feeding pattern is presented in the research of James Clowater, See the link to his thesis at the bottom.

 

Environmental Protection of the Ecological Reserve with the Installation of the Tidal current Generator at Race Rocks

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This file provides information on the process used to ensure environmental protection of the Ecological Reserve with the installation of the tidal current generator at Race Rocks.

BACKGROUND REFERENCES:

Contents:

BACKGROUND REFERENCES: See Below

1.Permit Application for Research on the Ecological Reserve 2004

2. Appendix A– Energy at Race Rocks : The problems and Solutions:

3. Environmental Impact of Tidal Current Energy Generation on Marine Mammals: Addendum to Clean Current Permit Application: Garry Fletcher.

4. References on the effects of Tidal Energy Generation on Marine Life:

5. Information for the Race Rocks Advisory Board on Alternate Energy Developments In the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve: 2004.

6.Outline of Expectations for a Baseline Study and Follow-up monitoring of the Current Energy Project at Race Rocks:

7. Video of the type of organisms that grow in the area of the turbine site.

8. Pam and Jason of Archipelago Marine Document life forms along the cable path.

9. Video of impact of Concrete Anchor Placement for the Tidal Energy Project

10. Environmental Monitoring at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve related to the Pearson College-Encana-Clean Current Tidal Power Demonstration Project by Pam Thuringer of Archipelago Marine, 2006.

11. Environmental Impact of the Diesel Energy Power generation System at Race Rocks

12. Preliminary Environmental Screening for: range Expansion of generator shed for battery storage

:13. Preliminary Environmental Screening for: Installation of Electrical Cable and Conduits at Race Rocks

14. Preliminary Environmental Screening for: Installation of the Piling for the tidal energy generator:.https://www.racerocks.ca/bc-parks-impact-assessment-process/ Continue reading →

Aechmophorus occidentalis: Western grebe- The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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Western grebes overwinter here on Southern Vancouver Island in the protected coastal bays. Three pairs were seen in Pedder bay throughout January and February of 2006. They feed on fish at night following trails of bioluminescence as the fish swim through the water. ( see reference below)

It may surprize some to know that this is one of the few prairie pond birds which do not migrate South during the winter, but instead migrate West over the Rocks mountains to the Coastal Bays of Vancouver Island.

The Western Grebe is classified by the Alberta Government as a Species at Risk.

Research on Foraging indicating a night-feeding pattern is presented in the research of James Clowater, See this link to his thesis.
CLASSIFICATION:
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Sub-Phylum Vertebrata
Class Aves
Order Podicipediformes
Family Podicipedidae
Genus Aechmophorus
Species occidentalis
Common Name: Western Grebe

 

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams.  G. FLetcher

Second Interim Report: Environmental Monitoring at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve related to the Tidal Power Project.

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Summary the environmental monitoring tasks completed Aug 1to Jan 13, 2006. by staff of Archipelago Marine Research Ltd.

  • three site visits to document biotic features along the cable route
  • preparation and remote monitoring by remote cameras of racerocks.com
  • direct communication with PC staff and drilling staff regarding the imagery  and specimen ID.
  • observation of upland activities between the boathouse and battery room were made during the last visit in November.

See the Complete 11 page PDF : archipelinterimreportJan200

Telmessus cheiragonus:Helmet Crab-The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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helmet crab

Telmessus cheiragonus

 

helmetventral

Telmessus cheiragonus, the helmet crab, ventral inage

Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Crustacea
Order: Decapoda
Family: Cheiragonidae
Genus Telmessus
Species cheiragonus
Common Name: Helmet crab

helmet3

Telmessus cheiragonus, Helmet crab photos by G. Fletcher

This crab shows up frequently when we are diving at Race Rocks

Other Members of the Phylum Arthropoda at Race Rocks.

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams.  G. Fletcher

 

Zostera marina: eel grass–The Race Rocks taxonomy

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This true sea grass, is not an algae, but a flowering plant. It does have a close relative, the other sea grass Phyllospadix scouleri which does live at Race Rocks. We have included it here because it often ends up on the small pocket beach areas as drift along marine algae and logs. So technically its energy is imported into the Race Rocks Ecosystem with the help of storms. It actually grows in shallow offshore areas in a sand sediment bottom. The closest to Race Rocks is around Bentinck Island and in Emdyck Passage

Asexual Reproduction: In the photos you can see that it grows on a sediment substrate and has creeping roots or rhizomes just below the surface. They serve as its main method of propagation. It also can produce seeds from small inconspicuous flowers. A bed of this grass may be closely related genetically as it is joined by a network of these rhizomes underground.

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Zosteraceae
Genus: Zostera
Species: marina
Common Name: Eel Grass

 

Other Members of the Angiosperms at Race Rocks 
taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams.

 name –year (PC)

Solaster stimpsoni: Stripped Sun Star–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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This is a frame taken from the video beside. The blue color is because white light does penetrate to a depth of 8 metres, so only the parts of the picture that are illuminated from the video light show the true colors.. Note in the video how objects appear to change color when illuminated, but, they don’t actually do so. In the foreground is a broooding anemone , red with a band of babies at its girth. The pink coral is hydrocoral.

“Invertebrates at Race Rocks” is an introductory piece on a few of the invertebrate phyla. This was one of the first hinted streaming videos done by the Pearson College divers in April 2000. There is a good section on Soalaster Stimpsoni in the film. It was taken by Rowena and Shamsher on a Sony Digital camera, and edited by Hannah and Garry on a G4 Macintosh Computer using iMovie.

 

Physical Description
It has 8-12 arms, but usually it has 10 arms, which has length is about 23 cm. The diameter about 20 inches (51 cm). And the central disc about &Mac185; of total diameter. It&Mac226;s mouth just below the central disc. And, as the common sea star, it uses its tube feet which under main arms to move.

Global Distribution
This kind of sea star could be found at Bering Sea to Salt Point California (Trinidad Head, Sonoma Country, Kodiak Island and Oregon) and Pacific Northwest (Sunrise Beach and Gig Harbor).

Physical Description
It has 8-12 arms, but usually it has 10 arms, which has length is about 23 cm. The diameter about 20 inches (51 cm). And, as the common sea star, it uses its tube feet which under main arms to move.

Habitat
This sea star is possible to find at rocky bottoms but sometimes in sand or in the lowest zone.
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Asteroida
Order Spinulosida
Suborder Eugnathina
Family Solasteridae
Genus Solaster
Species stimpsoni
Common Name: Stripped Sun Star, Sun Star, Stimpson’s
Feeding
This animal is a carnivore. It usually feed at sea cucumbers (the most favorite foods), tunicates, lampshells, sea pens, brachiopods, holothurians, sea squirts and nudibranch.

Predator
The predator of this animal is Sunflower Star ( Solaster dawsoni).

Reproduction
It reproduces sexually. It is breeding from February to March. Gametes are discharge into water. The eggs then become larvae and start to metamorphosis for about 40-50 days.

Interesting Thing
It can curl its arms up over its body to take on a spherical shape. This allows it to tumble across the seafloor in the along-shore currents.

References
Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Sun Sea Star Solaster Stimpsoni. Internet
British Columbia Creature Page. Internet
Edmonds Discovery Programs. Internet
Gotshall Daniel (1994) Guide To Marine Invertebrates. California
King Country (1999) Sun Star &Mac246; Solaster Stimpsoni. Internet
Lambert Philip (1965) Sea Star. Vancouver, Canada
Morris Robert, Donald A & Eugene H (1980) Interditial Invertebrates of California. California
Photo Gallery. Internet
Strathmann Megumi (1987) Reproduction And Development of Marine Invertebrates of The Northern Pacific Coast. Friday Harbour Laboratory
Verrill (1880) Solaster Stimpsoni. Internet
Yates Steve (1988) Marine Wildlife. Washington

 

Other Members of the Phylum Echinodermata at Race Rocks
taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy

and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams.

January 2006 Winda (PC year 32)

Daily Air Temperature Data -1998-2005: Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

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I am working at restoring the following links which were removed when Telus dropped a server unexpectedly which we had been using at racerocks.com .. If you wish to access this data before i get the links updated ,you may contact me at email :garryf  then use the at sign gmail dot com

October 1984 to February 1997 daily weather records submitted to Environment Canada Meteorological Service by the light keepers at Race Rocks.

Be sure to do a Customized Search for
“Race Rocks Lightstation” to find this archive.

I think previous records exist so I am trying to get them from the Canadian Meteorlogical Service.

AIR DATA, JANUARY 1998
(missing first three months)

AIR DATA, FEBRUARY 1998

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From January 2006 on, refer to the air temperature files from the Davis Weather Instrument.

Archived Data for this page has been produced in the EXCEL Files by Mike Slater. It was then converted and saved as html by Garry Fletcher and students of the racerocks.com activity