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The Eye of the Wind: Grouse Mountain’s Quiet Revolution

Local Government Wind Energy Development Clinic

Whistler, BC September 29th, 2010

Eye of the Wind

•  Erected in September 2009

•  Fully commissioned for power production in Feb 2010. BC Hydro sign off Sept 2010

•  Hosting tours to the viewPOD since Feb 2010

•  Worlds' first elevator accessible observation deck on a wind turbine

•  Second operating wind project in BC

•  First ski hill in Canada with a wind turbine

•  Components and design was sourced from 9 different countries

•  100% privately financed by Grouse Mountain

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Eye of the Wind Statistics

•  0 m

•  102 m – total height of structure

•  65 m – height of tower

•  57 m – height of viewPod •  7 m diameter

•  Each blade is 37 m long •  12,000lbs each

Purpose / Goals of the EOTW

•  Produce clean renewable energy •  Move towards becoming a carbon

neutral resort •  Provide a new attraction •  But most importantly:

» Inspire » Educate » Exhilarate

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Project Timelines

•  Two Year Wind Resource Assessment (‘05/ ‘06)

•  Permitting with District of N. Vancouver (’07 – ‘10) –  Development Permitting (Environmental) –  Building Permit

•  Construction (‘08 / ‘09) with Completion in Feb.2010

•  Final Commissioning Completed Sept. 2010

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Our Experience

•  Innovative World Firsts Take Time (and Courage) –  Set Realistic Development Timelines –  Create a Shared Vision –  4-3 Council Vote (Mayor breaking the tie)

•  Project Was New to All Stakeholders –  Engage Early and Often –  Be Flexible but Stay Aligned and Focused on the Goal –  Expect the Unexpected –  Collaboration Critical

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Our Experience

•  DNV Planning Staff were Champions –  Solution Oriented –  Helped Navigate Choppy Political Waters –  Aligned Media Messaging

•  Code Confusion –  National vs. International Standards –  CSA vs. TUV –  Electrical, Welding –  Vital Input from Code Consultant to Bridge Gaps

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Our Experience

•  Challenging Project for BC Hydro too –  Existing Standard Offer Program Didn’t Work

•  Boilerplate Agreements not Subject to Change •  “Can’t Customize”, “Afraid of Setting Precedents” •  GMR wanted to use it’s own Power, Not Sell •  GMR wanted to retain Green Credits

–  Hydro Senior Management Understood the Project and the Vision •  Management Staff eventually Empowered to help

Find Solutions that Work for Both Parties

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Our Experience

•  Public Supportive when Equipped with the Facts –  Public Information Meeting Important

•  Transparency •  Experts Available for Q and A’s •  Photomontages to Allay Concerns of Visuals

•  Media typically sought out Controversy throughout the Permitting Process

•  Difficult Moving Turbine Parts in an Urban Area •  We Feel your Pain re: FOI Requests!

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View from the Top

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View from the Top

Chronology

–  Project commenced in ‘05 with feasibility study and collection of wind data for 24 months

–  Summer ‘07 engaged with DNV planning staff –  Dec ‘07 Preliminary Planning application –  Feb ‘08 DNV Council brief –  June ‘08 Development Permit approval for Foundation

only – Phase 1

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Chronology

–  Phase 2 Development Permit Application Aug. ‘08 –  DNV Advisory Design Panel Appearance Sept. ‘08 –  Public Information Meeting Sept. ‘08 –  DNV Council Vote on Phase 2 DP Oct. ‘08 –  Development Permit Issues for Construction of the

Turbine Nov. ‘08 •  219 covenant required to ensure a monitoring plan

in place re: impact of turbine on birds and bats –  Erection on Site Sept. ‘09 –  Completion Feb. ‘10 in time for the 2010 Games

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Benefits of Wind Energy

•  Wind is a renewable source of energy – we will never run out

•  Clean, no pollution, no GHG emissions

•  No waste product

•  Low impact

•  Small footprint on ground and surrounding lands can be used as before

•  One of the most economical options for new large scale electricity generation

•  Allows for embedded generation

•  Safe and clean de-commissioning

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Eye of the Wind Statistics

•  Wind Turbine + Elevator + Observation Deck

•  Three blades harness the kinetic energy in the wind and rotate our gearless generator

•  Expected to produce 2,000,000 kWh each year which is equivalent to 25% of our annual energy usage each year.

•  2,000,000 kWh = energy used by 260 average Canadian homes

•  In ideal wind conditions, wind turbine could produce more, up to enough electricity for 400 average Canadian homes.

Eye of the Wind Statistics

•  Wind Turbine + Elevator + Observation Deck

•  Elevator shaft sits in centre of the tower

•  Cab can hold eight passengers

•  Ascends 55 metres in 35 seconds

•  Designed by KONE of Finland engineers experienced with Marine Elevators

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Eye of the Wind Statistics

•  Wind Turbine + Elevator + Observation Deck

•  Our viewPOD is the world’s first elevator accessible observation deck atop a wind turbine

•  Can hold up to 36 people in the glass enclosure

•  Connects to nacelle of wind turbine, causing it to rotate around the tower when the nacelle rotates to face into the wind

•  A unique spot for visiting guests, organized school groups, and a limitless venue for unique events

The International Team

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Company Country Role

Grouse Mountain Resorts Canada Host & Installation

Leitwind Ag Italy Wind Turbine

Sigma Composite France ViewPod

LM Denmark Wind Turbine Blades

Leitwind Ag Austria Wind Turbine Assembly

Kone Finland Elevator

Tbailey, Katana Summit USA Tower Manufacturer

Tbailey, Katana Summit Korea Tower Components

Shriram Leitwind India Generator

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Pod Manufacturing

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•  Re-assembled on-site •  Electrical components, fire

protection system, heating/ventilation all installed while on the ground.

•  This ensured that these components met Canadian Code accordingly.

Elevator Manufacturing

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•  Elevator manufacturing was quite standard to other Kone elevators.

•  Components arrived in parts for assembly in the tower after erection.

•  Installation conducted October 2009 until February 2010

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Logistics

•  Blade Transportation

Logistics

•  Base Tower Section Transportation •  Play Webisode 4

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Construction

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•  Foundation constructed in October 2008

•  Installed on bed rock

•  15 metre deep rock anchors secured into a 2 metre high concrete pad

Construction

•  Modular system makes for a straight-forward assembly

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To conclude…

•  Challenging and Unique Project

•  Made possible by

–  Inspired Concept

–  Innovative Engineers

–  Determined Trades people – millwrights, electricians, mechanics

•  In a year we will produce enough electricity to offset 25% of our annual electricity usage

•  Inspire and educate 1.2 million visitors per year

Eye of the Wind & Blue Grouse

•  The Eye of the Wind is part of the Blue Grouse Program which ensures all business decisions pass through the filters of Social, Environmental and Economical Responsibility.

Social Engage guests in wind energy and alternative energy sources. Educate and inspire.

Environmental Reduce energy consumption by 25%. Produce clean energy. Shrink our carbon footprint.

Economical Reduce our hydro bill by 25%. Develop a new exciting attraction for guests.

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Blue Grouse Story

•  Some other resort-wide efforts under Blue Grouse include:

•  Blue Grouse- a brand, a promise and a mission

•  Bio diesel for alpine fleet •  Energy reduction programs •  Local and sustainable food suppliers, Ocean Wise, Green Table Network •  Wildlife refuge •  “Green Sealed” cleaners, soap and paper products in all washrooms •  Compostable products •  Recycling programs for food, batteries, fuels, etc

•  Water reduction through hands -free faucets •  Waste reduction through hands-free soap and paper dispensers •  Low voltage lighting •  No idling zone •  No smoking at resort •  Charitable events and fundraisers •  Alternative energy sources •  Recycled products wherever possible •  Environmental Fund for employees cups

Thank You