Green Energy Research Available

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BC Hydro has undertaken a number of research projects focused on the potential of green energy resources in British Columbia. The results of this work will help enable others to develop green technologies in our province.

Much of our research material is available to the public:

• Site-specific wind monitoring data. BC Hydro began its wind-monitoring program in 2000, and has since collected data on wind speed and direction at a number of mainland B.C. and Vancouver Island locations. The wind monitoring program is drawing to a close and raw (unanalyzed) monitoring data is available to those interested in developing wind energy in B.C.
• Small and micro hydro research. BC Hydro has published Inventory of Undeveloped Opportunities at Potential Micro Hydro Sites in British Columbia [PDF, 509 Kb] which contains information on 600 potential sites. Another publication, Handbook for Developing Micro Hydro in British Columbia [PDF, 315 Kb], discusses issues that need to be considered by developers of small or micro hydro sites.
• Green Energy Study for British Columbia. This prefeasibility study examined the potential for a number of green resources on Vancouver Island (Phase 1 report) and the rest of B.C. (Phase 2). Summary reports, as well as resource-specific reports in cases where the information is not commercially sensitive, can be accessed under IN THE SPOTLIGHT.
• Green Electricity Resources of British Columbia Map. BC Hydro partnered with Canadian Cartographics Ltd. to publish the first green electricity resources map of our province, containing up-to-date information on the location, and approximate amount of potential energy from wind, tidal current, ocean wave, geothermal, small hydro, solar and biomass resources. The information for this 84 x 170 cm wall map was obtained from BC Hydro's Green Energy Study for British Columbia and other sources. View a sample panel of the map. For more information or to order the map, visit the Canadian Cartographics website.