| The following information should help people that are new to the industry that are considering developing a new IPP project.
1. Q: I am looking at starting a run of the river generator on Vancouver Island. I have currently never undertaken this type of project and was wondering what type of support your organization offers? Thank you for your time. Kevin P.
A: A good primer is the Handbook for Developing Micro Hydro in British Columbia found at www.bchydro.com and was written by one of the founding Directors of IPPBC. While at www.bchydro.com go to their Index and click on "IPP", "Green IPP", "Micro-hydro” to see how they acquire power from IPPs.
For general info on how to develop a project go to:
1. http://www.ippbc.com/quick_facts_list/
2. http://www.ippbc.com/environmental_assessment_info_for_25_ipp_projects/
3. http://www.ippbc.com/about_ippbc/photo_gallery/
4. Put "run of river" in the search window and you should get over 25 articles.
Once you join IPPBC you can also get access to more specific info on developing a project at:
1. http://www.ippbc.com/ipp_toolbox/
2. http://www.ippbc.com/ippbc_letters,_reports_&_presentations/
3. http://www.ippbc.com/frequently_asked_questions
4. http://www.ippbc.com/recent_news_flashes/ … containing over 1000 articles on IPP in BC
5. http://www.ippbc.com/upcoming_ipp_events/
6. http://www.ippbc.com/ipp_issue_flags/
7. http://www.ippbc.com/photo_gallery/hydro_project_photos/
8. http://www.ippbc.com/members/maps? … showing the location and size of 35 operating run of river projects
9. http://www.ippbc.com/members_directory/ ... listing over 150 active hydro developers, consultants and suppliers
10.Put in "run of river" in the search window and you should get over 80 articles.
Good luck reading and navigating.
2. Q: I am want to develop wind power project here. Where can I get some BC-related wind facts and what info can IPPBC give me? Paul G
A: Info on how electricity from wind generation is bought is found at www.bchydro.com - in their A-Z Index under “wind” and "IPP" and "Green IPP".
For general info on how to develop a project go to:
1. http://www.ippbc.com/quick_facts_list/
2. http://www.ippbc.com/environmental_assessment_info_for_25_ipp_projects/
3. http://www.ippbc.com/about_ippbc/photo_gallery/
4. Put "wind" in the search window and you should get over 120 articles.
Once you join IPPBC you can also get access to more specific info on developing a project at:
1. http://www.ippbc.com/ipp_toolbox/
2. http://www.ippbc.com/ippbc_letters,_reports_&_presentations/
3. http://www.ippbc.com/frequently_asked_questions
4. http://www.ippbc.com/recent_news_flashes/ … containing over 1000 articles on IPP in BC
5. http://www.ippbc.com/upcoming_ipp_events/
6. http://www.ippbc.com/ipp_issue_flags/
7. http://www.ippbc.com/photo_gallery/wind_project_photos/
8. http://www.ippbc.com/members/maps? … showing the location and size of wind projects with signed BC Hydro contracts
9. http://www.ippbc.com/members_directory/ ... listing over 50 active wind developers, consultants and suppliers
10.Put in "wind" in the search window and you should get over 465 articles.
3. Q: I recently heard about private power generation and selling power onto the grid and I am interested in learning more about it and your organization. Unfortunately, my knowledge of power generation and the services your organization provides is minimal. I am presently looking at a couple of East Kootenay properties that may have hydroelectric generating capacity. Can you please call and direct me as to where I can find more information and how I can join your organization. Mr. T, January 2, 2007
A: A civil engineer is the person who normally calculates the potential power from a hydro site. You can try to do it yourself with the 3 following tools:
1. You can download free Small Hydro Project Analysis Tools at http://www.retscreen.net/ang/home.php
2. Download the Micro Hydro Handbook from www.bchydro.com.
3. Also http://www.bchydro.com/environment/greenpower/greenpower1751.html has an interactive model and some useful internet links.
With regards to joining our organization, please call Melissa McArthur at 604-461-4778 or melissamcarthur@ippbc.com Good luck.
4. Q: I am interested to build several micro hydro power plants in XXX region with a capacity between 300-800 KW. I have been working with several internet sites trying to identify potential power plant sites, but they seem outdated. Is there a website with current available potential sites? If there is any other relevant information you could provide regarding micro hydro power plants, I would be most grateful. Mr. K, January 9, 2007
A: Many creeks in BC are potential hydropower sites. So there is not one website that lists currently available potential sites. It is like an easter egg hunt. And many initially attractive eggs end up being hollow due to some technical, economic, or social flaw that was not evident when the creek was initially studied. There are thousands of creeks in BC. Perhaps several dozen might get developed in the next 10 years. With good engineering, broad info gathering skills and patient relationship building one can find the right needles in the haystack. Note that over 300 creeks have already had ipp developers file the first step of a water license application on them. Google BC water license applications in the ministry of environment to see who and how. Also, at bchydro.com look at the 3 lists of projects that won contracts from BC Hydro Calls in 2002, 2003 and 2006. Google the name of each hydro project and you will see what kind of projects have won contracts | 
