FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
About Positive Power Co-op
Why is Positive Power Co-op a co-operative?
What is the co-operative model of renewable
energy development?
When will I be able to invest in a PPC
project?
Who do I see about my idea for a project?
Can you help me start a renewable energy
organization or co-op?
Can the Co-op tell me if a project in
my area is viable?
Can I see the Co-operative's wind
study results?
How can I support Positive Power Co-op?
Why do you have ads from Google on your site?
About Wind Energy
Where does PPC stand on the Kyoto Protocol?
I've heard that global warming is
only a theory, so why bother using wind power?
Aren't wind turbines inefficient
because the wind doesn't blow all the time? How can they
be considered a reliable source of electricity?
If wind power is intermittent, how can it be used
on a large scale? Does it still have a part to
play in the electricity market?
How much does wind power cost?
Don't wind turbines kill lots of birds?
Will property values drop if there are
wind turbines on or nearby my property?
How can I connect my house to a wind turbine?
About Positive Power Co-op
Why is Positive Power Co-op a co-operative?
PPC was incorporated as a co-operative because a co-op is the type of organization that stresses:
- Voluntary and open membership
- Democratic member control
- Member economic participation
- Autonomy and independence
- Education, training, and information
- Co-operation among other co-operatives
- Concern for community
For information on the more than 10,000 co-operatives and credit unions in Canada, visit the Canadian Co-operative Association or the Ontario Co-operative Association.
What is the co-operative model of renewable energy development?
The co-operative model of renewable energy development depends on member and community investment to raise capital for projects, regardless of whether or not it is acting as a for-profit or not-for-profit. Investment from the community takes place through a process referred to as a community investment offering - through shares, bonds, member loans, or other mechanisms. This usually occurs before construction can begin, but after a number of important steps have been completed such as the wind resource assessment, the environmental assessment and negotiations around who is going to buy the power produced by the turbine. Return on member investment is distributed to members based on the price that the power produced is sold for and the revenue generated as a result. At this time, PPC is currently structured as a co-op without share capital and does not have an offering statement in place yet. This means that your membership fee is not invested directly in any of our projects, but gives you first right of refusal when our community investment offering is ready.
When will I be able to invest in a PPC project?
We anticipate offering community investment in both our wind energy projects in early 2006. Existing members will have the first opportunity to invest before we go out to the community at large. That means that as a current member, you will get first right of refusal in our turbine projects.
Who do I see about my idea for a project?
We are always interested in talking to people about wind energy in the Hamilton-Halton-Haldimand region. If you have a new project to propose, contact PPC's General Manager.
Can you help me start a renewable energy organization or co-op?
We recommend you contact OSEA (the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association). They provide resources for renewable energy groups, networking, and expertise.
Can the Co-op tell me if a project in my area is viable?
Unfortunately, no. Wind data measurement is a time consuming, costly and technical area requiring expertise. Each location must be tested for a minimum of one year using a wind tower and wind measurement instrumentation. The results of the study are then analyzed using sophisticated software. Only an individual study will give the precise data required.
Can I see the Co-operative's wind study results?
All wind studies performed for Positive Power Co-operative are the proprietary property of the Co-operative and represent a significant investment on the part of the membership and the Co-operative's supporting sponsors. This data is not available for general review.
How can I support Positive Power Co-op?
You can become a member. You can volunteer with the co-op. You can tell your friends and family about what we are doing. Sign-up for our newsletter and stay informed.
Why do you have ads from Google on your site?
Positive Power is a non-profit organization that must cover a number of costs related to our educational and outreach materials (e.g., brochures, website, public talks, workshops). Many of these costs are covered by generous donations from foundations and organizations from within the community. However, these grants and donations are not a continual source of funding for us. PPC entered the Google AdSense program as a way to receive a small source of revenue that will help offset these costs. Google offered a number of interesting opportunities that we thought would add value to your visits: public service ads directly related to environmental or non-profit work, or companies selling services and products in the renewable energy field. Google's ads are also the least obtrusive that we have seen.
About Wind Energy
Where does PPC stand on the Kyoto Protocol?
Positive Power Co-op does not have an official position on the Kyoto Protocol. We support wind development and green power because of the numerous environmental and economic benefits.
I've heard that global warming is only a theory, so why bother using wind power?
Regardless of the effects on climate change, the use of fossil fuels or nuclear power to produce electricity has numerous negative environmental and health effects that cannot be ignored. Coal-fired generation is a primary cause of acid rain, which damages plants and the water supply across the country, as shown by Pollution Probe in their Acid Rain Primer (pdf), among other publications. The Ontario Medical Association has studied the health risks associated with air pollution and has found that smog (produced by fossil fuel combustion from cars and electricity production) contributes to a significant portion of death and illness incidents each year. The use of non-polluting wind power to produce electricity is a sensible choice for a cleaner environment and better health for everyone.
Aren't wind turbines inefficient because the wind doesn't blow all the time? How can they be considered a reliable source of electricity?
If the wind blew 100% of the time at the speed needed to produce maximum output from the turbine, wind turbines would be at 100% capacity. Of course, this isn't realistic. Wind speed varies throughout the year and in different locations across Ontario and Canada. Modern turbines spin between 65%-80% of the time, but because they aren't producing maximum power the entire time, the capacity factor for most turbines is calculated at around 30%. However, do not confuse efficiency with capacity. Efficiency refers to how well a resource, such as wind or coal, is converted into electricity. Wind turbines are very efficient machines.
If wind power is intermittent, how can it be used on a large scale? Does it still have a part to play in the electricity market?
It's true that you can't predict when the wind will blow, which makes it difficult to respond to electricity demand. However, when wind energy is paired with hydro power, both types of power generation can work together to produce a steady, reliable, clean source of electricity. When the wind blows, wind turbines produce electricity, and hydro dams can ease back on their power production. When the wind energy output is low due to low wind speed, more water can be allowed to flow through hydro dams to generate the electricity needed by consumers. Ontario is lucky enough to have a very large natural source of electricity generated by hydroelectricity in Niagara Falls which can contribute significantly to such a system.
How much does wind power cost?
The cost of wind power depends on three things: the speed of the wind, the cost of wind turbine(s) construction, and the size of the wind farm. If the wind farm is large and located in an area of high wind speeds, and construction costs are low, wind energy will cost less to produce. At the moment, the costs of generating electricity from wind ranges from 6 to 14 cents (CAD$) per kilowatt hour (kWh). Compared to other energy resources, such as natural gas, this may seem high. However, there is a finite supply of non-renewable natural fuel and as supply declines, costs increase. Wind energy has no fuel costs and its operating costs continue to decrease every year by 3-5% due to greater efficiencies and economies of scale. Also, when the additional negative effects and costs of coal-fired or nuclear power are quantified and figured into the equation (e.g., health costs associated with pollution, nuclear fuel refining, waste storage), the true cost of traditional generation is much higher than what is currently being paid by consumers. As a result, wind power economics is rapidly becoming more attractive.
Don't wind turbines kill lots of birds?
Australian, US, Danish and Canadian studies have all confirmed that the average mortality rate is 2 birds per turbine per year (Australian Wind Energy Association: Wind Turbines and Birds in pdf). By contrast, office towers in Toronto kill far more birds per year. The Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) shows between 1000 and 3000 birds die each year over the last 10 years as a result of birds colliding with buildings. A Canadian Geographic magazine article found that at least 17,000 birds died due to collisions.
Will property values drop if there are wind turbines on or nearby my property?
Property values will stay the same or potentially rise with wind turbines either on the property or within sight. This has been confirmed by US, Australian and European studies: Renewable Energy Policy Project: The Effect of Wind Development on Local Property Values (pdf) and Australian Wind Energy Association: Wind farms and property prices (pdf).
How can I connect my house to a wind turbine?
Positive Power Co-op's current focus is to develop large scale utility grade wind turbine projects and connect them to the electricity grid to add to Ontario's overall supply mix. We do not offer consulting services, sales or installation of residential renewable energy systems, and we do not act as a referral system for companies that do that work in this market You can find out more information on smaller wind turbines for homes and businesses from the Canadian Wind Energy Association's Small Wind Site.