Phase I
Overview |
Phase 1 – Photovoltaic and Wind Energy System
30 Solar panels rated at 110 V
28 have been arranged into 2 series of 14’s; the remaining two have been added to phase 2.
Power produced can be ~3000W or 3 kW.
Payback is 40 years as this amount is only enough to power 2 classrooms or 1.5% of the total school’s electrical usage.
1 residential Air X wind turbine rated at 400 W or 0.4 kW. Electricity from this wind turbine runs a laptop computer which tracks our carbon dioxide reduction amount, money saved from fossil fuel production and total power produced by the solar panels.
Both solar panels and the wind turbine are grid tied so that in case of prolonged cloudy periods or no wind, we will still be capable of getting electricity from the Alberta electricity pool.
Total cost of Phase I was $47,000 which was raised in 5 months. Started February 2004 and finished Jan 2005.
30 Solar panels rated at 110 V
28 have been arranged into 2 series of 14’s; the remaining two have been added to phase 2.
Power produced can be ~3000W or 3 kW.
Payback is 40 years as this amount is only enough to power 2 classrooms or 1.5% of the total school’s electrical usage.
1 residential Air X wind turbine rated at 400 W or 0.4 kW. Electricity from this wind turbine runs a laptop computer which tracks our carbon dioxide reduction amount, money saved from fossil fuel production and total power produced by the solar panels.
Both solar panels and the wind turbine are grid tied so that in case of prolonged cloudy periods or no wind, we will still be capable of getting electricity from the Alberta electricity pool.
Total cost of Phase I was $47,000 which was raised in 5 months. Started February 2004 and finished Jan 2005.
Timeline
Sustainable Development Project Timeline
Impact of High School’s Project
June 2000
Earl Binder and Stephanie Bennett decided on attempting this feat. Took idea to Superintendent and received approval to go ahead with project.
June 2005
CHS Sustainable Development Committee received prestigious AB Emerald Award for Environmental Excellence in Youth Category and were runner-up winners in the Canadian Geographic Green Team Challenge
Sep 2000 – Nov 2003
Time spent completing feasibility study with Soltek Powersource. Time spent researching technology and finding a company that sold, and installed this sort of technology. Result of the study was 30 solar panels and a small wind turbine on the roof.
Sept 2005
CHS Sustainable Development Project in AB Venture Magazine
Feb 2004
Sustainable Development Committee born – 14 keen grade 11 students
Sept 2005
CHS Sustainable Development Project named Newsmaker of the Year by Chamber of Commerce
Feb 2004 – June 2004
Committee raised $47,000 through private donations, grant applications, open house and conference presentations
Jan 2006
Received Calgary Mayor’s Excellence Awards for Curriculum Support
July 2004
30 Solar panels installed
Feb 2006
Town of Cochrane strikes up a new Environmental Service Division dedicated to sustainable development in the town
Oct 2004
Wind generator installed
March 2006
Two members of Phase II committee attend Town of Cochrane Municipal Development Plan meeting at the Ranchehouse. Sustainable development was included in the town’s new and current MDP
July 2004 – Dec 2004
Getting electrical permits. Exhaustive process
Sept 2006
Town of Cochrane unveils a plan to study renewable technology on Municipal buildings in town
Jan 2005
System hooked up and power produced.
Nov 2006
Rockyview School Board passed first reading on a new sustainable buildings policy. This policy would see new schools designed with sustainability in mind and make major renovations to existing facilities in the division.
Feb 2005
Dr. David Suzuki guest speaker at High School’s Dedication ceremony. AB Environment Minister, Hon. Guy Boutilier also presented at ceremony.
May 2005 – Oct 2006
- High school in Ealing, UK doing what we did
- Westbrook Middle School put in solar heating
- High school in London, UK trying to put up solar panels
- Camrose, AB trying for a sustainable development project like ours
Team
Sustainable Development Committee Members
2004 – 2005 Phase I Ms. Stephanie Bennett Mr. Earl Binder Lisa Barnett Julian Chesterman Tristen Cones Lena Cordell Amanda Dick |
Katy Eso
Jenna Gray Carolyn Kolb Kaitlyn Mack Tamara Mackay-Temesy Justine Makin Denyse Skipper Amy Spiers Eily Stakenas Christine Waiand |
Donations Table
|
Platinum $5000+ |
CEAC (Cochrane Environmental Action Committee Ringstead Ranch P.K. Robertson Alberta Ecotrust Climate Change Central BP Canada Energy Company |
Gold $1000-4999 |
TransAlta Energreen Foundation Cochrane High School CEMAC - Mr. Miles AltaPharm International Ltd. Oxyoke Ranch John A. Latour Hockley Family BlindDrop Design Inc. The Calgary Foundation - Gordon & Kathy Laing Memorial Fund |
Silver $500-999 |
Cochrane Times - Larry Giles Mr & Mrs. Byler ATB Financial, Cochrane Branch Cochrane Activettes J.L. Wallace/B.C. Chin |
Bronze $1-499 |
Patrick Chesterman Williams Energy - Cochrane Extraction Plant Bruce & Judy Stewart Jon Bennett Heidi Feldmann Exploration Plastics Ltd. Dave & Mary Sitar Stephanie Bennett Dr. Phil Greeves R.A. Bennett Insurance Agency Joe & Lois Weir Glynn-Romses Family Hennessey Family Rick & Sandy McDonald Barry & Judy Warnick Larry & Sherry Sorenson James & Kay Robertson Tristen Cones Westbrook Women's Institute Cordell Family Linda Thomas Eso Family Kolb Family Paul & Sharlene Fritz Mr. & Mrs. Lockwood Alan Stewart Sierra Club Chinook Group Grace & Kim Blauel Stakenas Family Susan Booth Henneberg Family |
In Kind |
Cochrane Times - Larry Giles - free advertising for Open House Rockyview Maintenance & Grounds Crews - installation TransAlta - donated the use of the crane for the day free of charge Fortis - operating the crane for a day free of charge |