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City, college enter into partnership with renewable energy company

Jan 24, 2017 | 11:51 AM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The city has announced a memorandum of understanding partnership on a renewable energy project in the city.

The city is partnering with Medicine Hat College and Bluenergy Solarwind (BSW) Canada to develop, build and commission a community renewable energy microgrid pilot project in the city.

“This is a great opportunity for not only the college, but for the city of Medicine Hat and for our region in the development of new, sustainable energy,” said Denise Henning, president/CEO of Medicine Hat College.

Once constructed, the microgrid will measure the output of both wind and solar energy in the city. In the initial configuration, four wind turbines will be constructed, along with 60 to 70 solar panels on either a roof or fixed ground mount and a solar thermal system. The wind turbines have the potential to provide an estimated 28,800 kilowatt hours per year in power, while the solar panels can potentially provide an estimated 19,500 kilowatt hours per year.

Henning says the grid will be used to help power the Cultural Centre at the college.

“It will be tested for one year on a cycle to see how much the reductions of metric tons of carbon,” she said, adding the college will be able to do research and development while the project is online.

The college and city have been in discussion with Bluenergy, who have set up an office in the city, for several months to get the project off the ground.

Mayor Ted Clugston says the city is keeping its eyes on the project to see if it meets its output goals. If it is successful, the project could have an economic benefit to the city.

“Our ultimate goal is, if this thing takes off, they get manufactured here in Medicine Hat, and they get shipped all over the world,” he said.

The project is expected to begin in the spring.