Issue link: http://resourceworld.uberflip.com/i/832998
66 www.resourceworld.com J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 1 7 Developments in Green Technology by Jane Bratun GREEN TECHNOLOGIES BRITISH COLUMBIA HARNESSES WIND POWER The Pattern Energy Group Inc. [PEGI-TSX, NASDAQ] has com- pleted its 184.6-megawatt (MW) Meikle Wind power project. The project is 33 km north of Tumbler Ridge, northern British Columbia and generates power for 54,000 homes. The larg- est wind facility in the province, it increases the installed wind power capacity in BC by 37%. As cited on the company website, the total installed wind capacity is 673.6 MW, according to the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA). The Meikle Wind Project is situated on Provincial Crown Lands and lies within the traditional territory of Treaty 8 First Nations. The involvement and support of First Nations through- out development was fundamental to the project's success. Located in a mountainous region, this project is unique for its construction, design and weather challenges, as well as for find- ing rare dinosaur tracks during construction, which the company donated to the Tumbler Ridge Museum. The facility was designed and planned by incorporating input from the First Nations, the Tumbler Ridge and Chetwynd communities, and the provincial government. The project's layout, developed in collaboration with General Electric Company [GE-NYSE; NASDAQ] (GE), uses 61 GE turbines and incorporates two turbine models comprising vary- ing rotor sizes and hub heights. This design captures the most energy from the ridge lines, accounting for varying wind speeds, wind shear, turbulence and inflow angles. Meikle Wind hired an average of 150 workers during construc- tion, and 275 workers during peak. The surface area affected during operations is less than 134 hectares, and is located in an area significantly impacted by pine beetle kill and previous forestry activity, reducing the project's overall environmental impact. The project promises economic benefits for the local region and for British Columbia throughout its operation. During the power purchase agreement 25-year term with BC Hydro, Meikle Wind will contribute more than $70 million in payments for property taxes, the Crown lease, wind participation rent and community benefits. GRAPHENE MEMBRANES TURN SALT WATER INTO DRINKING WATER Water comprises the majority of the planet's surface, but because of a huge helping of salt, it's hard to tap into as a source of drink- ing water. The United Nations Water Development Report 2015 estimates that by the year 2025 some 14% of the world's popula- tion will not have access to clean drinking water. As the effects of climate change continue to reduce water supplies, wealthy modern countries are exploring desalination technologies and investing in them. Following the severe floods in California, major wealthy cities are also looking to alternative water solutions. To meet this need, scientists at England's Manchester University are creating an innovative desalination approach. The scientists are using graphene-oxide membranes (a single layer of carbon atoms) as promising candidates for new filtration technologies. New research demonstrates the real-world potential of providing clean drinking water for millions of people who struggle to access adequate clean water sources. Desalination plants already use a variety of techniques to produce safe drinking water, including shocking the salt and water into separating, using salt-attracting membranes, or harnessing the power of ocean waves to purify LEFT: The Meikle Wind Power Project near Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. Photo courtesy Patterson Energy Group Inc.