Wind Energy Harnessed at Highlands Golf Course near Vernon

If there is such a thing a little-engine-that-could in the Okanagan Valley’s industry of golf, it might just be the Highlands Golf Course in Coldstream near Vernon.

Referred to by owner Barb Mitchell as a “short-game course”, the layout has become home to numerous events such as staff golf tournaments and family reunions. And then there is the deal on Sundays when the golf course hosts a family day where kids under 12 play free with an adult, a savings of $9.

Recently, Mitchell also went out on a limb, installing a wind turbine to aid in the production of electricity at Highlands.

“It was a big project,” Mitchell admitted. “Along the way though, the thing that concerned me was that I wasn’t eligible for any provincial or federal incentives. This type of project kind of fell between the cracks. I finally had to absorb the entire $50K cost.”

Mitchell sys she has researched the concept of wind energy for many years. When BC Hydro billing moved to a two-step system, she knew the time had come to proceed with the turbine project.

“I’ve been interested in wind energy for years,” she said. “It’s untapped potential. Things became more acute here in October of 2009 when the BC Hydro billing changed. For example, we have a 15-horsepower pump here that helps with irrigation. It requires plenty of electricity. So, I figured then that the time is now.”

The result for Highlands is a huge, 10KW turbine, one that produce approximately four times more energy than smaller 2KW turbines being used by some residential owners. The start up speed is a bit slower, which means that the 10KW turbine requires a bit more breeze. The project was undertaken by Paul Wende of Energy West Power Solutions in Falklands, B.C.

“It was almost an engineering nightmare,” Mitchell recalls. “We had concrete pumping trucks that had to deal with a severe slope at the site. The trucks couldn’t be fully loaded because they would have been too heavy to access the site. But the project manager was just terrific and every one was always on time.”

Initially there were concerns voiced about the noise issues and even a notion that the turbine would injure birds. But Mitchell says the concerns have not materialized at all.

“It is certainly a pretty noticeable addition to the landscape here,” she said. “It stands about 50 feet and it’s visible from Highway 6. Our regular golfers are amazed, but it’s very quiet and it turns out that wildlife has not been affected her eat all.”

Check out more photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/southslope/sets/72157617702085418/