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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is green power?
Green power is the term used to describe renewable sources of energy that are environmentally friendly and non-polluting, such as biomass, run-of-river, geothermal, tidal, solar and wind power. Green energy sources are so named because they lower carbon emissions, create less pollution, reduce the environmental impact of conventional electricity generation and increase energy independence.
- What is run-of-river hydro?
Run-of-river hydro uses the natural flow and elevation drop of a river or creek to generate electricity without the need for dams or water storage. A portion of the flow from a fast-moving river is diverted into a penstock (pipe) that directs the water downhill to a generating station. Here, the water (pushed by the force of gravity), powers a turbine that generates electricity. The water is then returned, clean and unchanged, into the river.
- What do run-of-river operations involve?
A weir is built in a fast-moving stream sufficiently upstream of the powerhouse. The weir contains a Coanda style screen that allows the creek’s water to pass over without disturbing its natural flow, while diverting a portion of water off the side into a penstock pipe. The penstock is a large pipe that is buried alongside the waterway, and directs a portion of the water to the powerhouse. At all times a minimum flow in the creek is maintained to ensure a healthy ecosystem at all times in the year. The difference in elevation between the weir and the powerhouse and the volume of water in the penstock determines how much energy can be produced. The water goes through a powerhouse (usually the size of a large residential home), that contains a turbine that uses the force of the water to create electricity that is then delivered to BC Hydro for distribution.
- How much water does run-of-river remove from the creek?
None – all of the water entering the penstock is simply returned to the creek at the lower elevation of the powerhouse. The run-of-river process uses the downward flow of the water (and gravity!) to spin a turbine that creates electricity downstream, then flows it all back into the same creek. Fisheries and Oceans Canada requires that water flow be maintained in the natural stream bed at all times to ensure ecosystem integrity.
- How big is a run-of-river project’s dam?
Instead of dams, run-of-river projects use a fish-friendly weir located upstream of a natural fish barrier, such as a waterfall. This weir diverts a portion of the creek’s flow for power generation purposes. The water is then returned, clean and unchanged, back into the creek.
- What is Biomass power?
Biomass generation is the production of bioenergy to create firm electricity through direct combustion. For small-scale applications, the fuel usually takes the form of wood pellets, chips and logs. Bioenergy is any renewable energy or fuel derived from any biological source, such as beetle damaged pine trees, decadent forest, as well as logging and sawmill waste.
- Why should the province support Independent Power Producers (IPPs)?
Run-of-river hydropower, wind, geothermal, biomass and other renewables such as solar, wave and tidal energy are the most plentiful, environmentally-sound renewable energy sources available in BC. IPPs help diversify BC’s energy mix providing a cleaner way to generate power and increasing the security of our energy supply. In addition, IPP's provide good, fair and long-term value for money for ratepayers. IPP electricity is clean, reliable and creates jobs and revenue for First Nations and rural BC families.