Tag Archive: BC Hydro


Ten thousand dollars

For non profits there is a ten thousand dollar prize for a video documenting an effort in community sustainability and environment.

According to the BC Hydro newsletter Calling all champions there is a contest starting August 15th and 10,000 dollars are up for the non-profit that gets selected and goes on to public voting ans is chosen for its video of its efforts in sustainability and the environment.

To view the newsletter and the offer go to:

http://www.bchydro.com/news/conservation/2013/community-champions.html?WT.mc_id=c-13-08_champions

Today in history: August 7th 2007

Barry Bonds hits his 756th home run breaking Hank Aron’s record.

Development

On the west edge of the BC Hydro construction of their new substation and on the crest of a 40 meter hill is an extension of Spring Bank road going south toward town.Full water and sewer lines are being added. The view is of the River Ranch across the Nicola River with its green fields and meandering willow stands. The area was serviced with storm sewers decades ago.

A forestry forest fire training facility that features a simulator is being completed at the local airstrip about one mile away. The facility is scheduled for substantial completion on July 26th and for minister opening on the 1 st of August.

There are 3 twenty man training rooms, a laundry lots of offices and a large reception area, two helipads and a stones throw to the airstrip. There is also 4 residential lots that belong to the forest service. The facility is autonomous to the Regional Forestry Office on the other side of the airstrip and an open field away.The training center does not have living quarters.

The airstrip has a live in security person and houses the search and rescue command van.

Today in history: July 16,1212

Pope innocent the third calls European Knights to a crusade.

5000 dollar advantage

According to the BC Hydro newsletter the program that rebates 5000 dollars on the purchase of a clean energy vehicle is extended. As well a rebate to install a quicker charger at your home then the 120 volt charger that is readily available is extended as well. the news letter is available at the link below.

http://www.bchydro.com/news/unplug_this_blog/2013/clean-energy-vehicle-rebates.html?WT.mc_id=c-13-06_ev

There are plans for up to 600 public charging stations across BC by 2016 with 41 in place or planned now.

Editors note; it’s not clear whether 30 minute quick chargers at commercial operations are subject to rebates, we would think that those operations would start to feel a demand for them and since publicly advertised operations are subject to more scrutiny for safety that they may come under a regulation regime.

There are 4/ 2 hour quick chargers here in Merritt BC at unadvertised locations however they can be on smart phone apps.

Today in History: June 5th 1915

Denmark amends its constitution giving women’s suffrage.

Smart dryer

This morning the Google home page is showing a caricature of a smart appliance and a calculator that says don’t panic. As the appliance spits out data. Also the hydro authority has sent out a monthly edition of their newsletter introducing the new online account and its advantages to the consumer. The ability to compare to neighbours and similar homes is one that may be appealing to those who don’t like machines that do too much.

Below is a transcript of the newsletter:

As part of the recent upgrades on bchydro.com, you’ll notice your account online is now called MyHydro. With MyHydro, you’re still able to manage your account online as you did before, but you’ll also have access to new features that give you a closer look at your electricity use. Watch the video to learn how MyHydro helps you save energy, time and money.

Take a closer look at your electricity use

By taking a deeper look at your electricity use, you can find ways to save energy and money. With MyHydro, see how your electricity use affects your bill by:

  • Viewing your electricity use down to the hour and right up until yesterday to see when you’re using the most electricity.
  • Comparing your electricity use to factors such as average outside temperature, similar homes nearby and last year’s consumption.
  • Projecting your electricity use and estimated cost for the current billing period based on your consumption patterns.
  • Putting Power Smart tips into action and signing up for automatic email alerts to check back in and stay on track with your conservation goals.

Detailed consumption data gives you the right information at the right time, and helps you identify where you can save energy to keep your bill as low as possible (watch how the Greens track their electricity use to save on their electricity costs). While many of our customers can now view and track their daily electricity use, you may be among those customers who won’t have access until later this year. Make sure to log in to MyHydro regularly to see if your account is activated.

Manage your account online to save time

A growing number of BC Hydro customers regularly use bchydro.com to manage their account online. When you log in to MyHydro, you can view your bill and payment history, select a payment method, and even start, stop or move your service. When you log in to MyHydro, you’ll find these account functions in the account services toolbox.

Log in or create a MyHydro Profile

If you’ve always managed your account online, your BC Hydro Profile is now your MyHydro Profile. Never managed your account online? Create a MyHydro Profile and link your account to get started.

It appears in the material that yours and others in similar homes power consumption will be public , and the system certainly lends itself to eventual two rate system to take advantage of off-peak usage and since there is little competion  in the monopoly, that could mean that the lower rate could be the same as now and the peak rate move up in cost. Unless this efficiency brings all hydro down.

Opinion: this is really different and appealing to techies however our time is worth something and the prudent will control this and not let it dominate their time.

Today in History: March 11,2006

Chile gets its first female president, Michelle Bachelet.

TGIF

 

English: A Reva i/G-Wiz charging in London, be...

English: A Reva i/G-Wiz charging in London, between Covent Garden and the Strand. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

yes try as you might…..

Charging station in use: The charging station to accommodate electric vehicle quick charges was seen to be in use this week, here in Merritt BC

A car with BC Hydro markings was using the single outlet on Voght street.

The out let allows for a 4 hour charge that may get  the user up to about 85 kilometers of driving. An overnight charge on regular 120 volt at home will produce the same thing.

The station has been noticeably not in use for the months it has been here.There is talk of other being added soon, this may make it more attractive for use. The stations are GPS enabled for smart billing technologies.

Today in history: September 28,2008

The Falcon 1 is the first private space craft in space.

 

ILM

The Interior Lower Mainland project,a third 500 kilo volt line is gearing up, and today, Janis Brooks and Cheryl Brooks are available at the local college takeing  job applicants.

A new 250 kilometer line is going from the Revelstoke Dam site to the lower mainland.

For information on job opportunities call 604-846-1011 ext 215 and leave a message with Kate Fitzer. No man camp is planned.

BC Hydro is looking for a January 2015 in service date for the project.

Today in History: March 12 1947

The Truman Doctrine is proclaimed to stop the spread of Communism.

 

 

Smart meters

Elster A3 ALPHA type A30 single-phase kWh smar...

Image via Wikipedia

The  provincial hydro authority is going to be installing smart meters around the province. This will give them the ability to better manage power. As well the customer will also be able to do the same .No word on the thought that there will be two rates, one for off-peak and one for on. There was a proposal for an energy project that took water out of our own Nicola Lake and stored it till peak usage time. The marriage is more than obvious and we will be listening for the re-emergence of that project here in the future.

The local library has a meter for you to borrow to test where you are using your power the smart meter will build on that principle.

Today in History, October 17,2010

Mary Mckillop is canonized to be the first Saint of Australia.