Country Canada Type Micro hydro Province British Columbia | Status On-line Units operational 580 kW Pelton Owner Malibu | |
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Location Jervis Inlet, British Columbia | ||
Malibu hydro project
Malibu Hydro System was designed to provide electricity to the Malibu Club in Canada. This hydro system starts from a high alpine lake where water is diverted from the lake through a steel penstock to a power house nearly 1,250 feet (380 m) below near the shore of Jervis Inlet. The flow of water turns a pelton wheel which is attached to a generator to create electricity. The electricity is then transmitted to camp by a submarine cable running under Jervis Inlet at a high voltage to reduces losses. Power is then distributed throughout camp on the existing and upgraded electrical system.
Contents
Weir (Item A)
A small weir type dam was built at the lake outlet. and by limiting the discharge into the creek, aids in maintaining the lake level. The weir has a large pipe and valve in its base to pass the minimum required 2 cubic feet per second (0.057 m3/s) required to maintain the creek. This is in addition to the water which will be spilled to create power.
Intake (Item B)
Water regulated at the lake will flow down the creek from the 2,300-foot (700 m) level to the 1,200-foot (370 m) level. Here a a second weir was built across the creek that forms a large deep pool from which the 12-inch (300 mm) penstock draws water at a rate of up to 7 cu ft/s (0.20 m3/s).
Power House (Item C & D)
The power house contains the turbine, generator, and the necessary equipment to control and distribute the electricity for Malibu. It is located a short distance above the beach. The following diagram and table explains what happens once the water flow reaches the Power house (read the diagram right to left)
Power Line (Item E)
Transformers at the hydro generator raise 600 volts to 15,000 volts for transmission. Power is transmitted across Jervis inlet, a distance of two miles (3 km) via a underwater power line consisting of three parallel conductors. On the Malibu side of the inlet, a transformer steps the 15,000 volts down to 120 and 208 volts for use at the camp.
History
Began installation in 2005