Wind Power: get yours today!

The word on the street is that Maritime Electric (warning: toxic splash page) is now signing people up for their “pay a premium and get power generated from the wind” program.

I’ll be signing up first thing Wednesday morning, and I encourage all Islanders to do so. This is one of those Truly Great Ideas that crys out for broad public support.

Comments

Steven Garrity's picture
Steven Garrity on September 19, 2001 - 14:50 Permalink

Any word on how much it will cost? Also, how exactly does that work? What prevents Maritime Electric from ‘selling wind power’ to everyone even when it only contributes a small percentage of the total power?

Alan McLeod's picture
Alan McLeod on September 19, 2001 - 16:05 Permalink

Good for you for signing up — but should we have to? I wonder why they place this obstacle on use through the premium price. Factor it in generally. Make wind power “normal” and part of the cost. North American electricity companies buy at all sorts of prices through the day due to the spot market. They also secure supply at contract. These supply cost differences are not reflected in the cost of my electricity. Why make “green” power any different?

Peter Rukavina's picture
Peter Rukavina on September 19, 2001 - 16:13 Permalink

My understanding — and I need to have this confirmed — is that most if not all of the “premium” flows through to the wind test site itself, not to Maritime Electric. That makes a difference to me.

Alan McLeod's picture
Alan McLeod on September 19, 2001 - 17:08 Permalink

Can you post the information of what the actual premium is when you do find out?

Peter Rukavina's picture
Peter Rukavina on September 19, 2001 - 17:11 Permalink

Yes.

Peter Rukavina's picture
Peter Rukavina on September 20, 2001 - 16:51 Permalink

I called today and was told I need to speak with Angus Orford, who is out of the office until Monday. I’ve sent him an email and will report back on his response.

Sandy Nicholson's picture
Sandy Nicholson on September 20, 2001 - 17:05 Permalink

I am glad to see that some renewable energy is finally going to be available to the general public on PEI. If I were not already living “off the grid” with my own solar power system, I would definitely sign up.

Peter Rukavina's picture
Peter Rukavina on September 20, 2001 - 17:27 Permalink

Can you give us a basic sketch of how your solar power system works, and some suggestion of whether it’s a feasible system everyone to think about?

Sandy Nicholson's picture
Sandy Nicholson on September 21, 2001 - 12:35 Permalink

We have 8-85 watt solar panels on our roof, 8 batteries for storing our energy, an inverter, and a propane generator for back up. It is still quite expensive to invest in solar power, but we live quite far back from the road and it was going to cost a lot to invest in Maritime Electric, as well. We have a website about our hosue, if you are interested: www.isn.net/~doula/house.html