Welcome to Birch Energy Co-op, "A Pioneer Species!"
Introduction
Birch
Energy Co-operative has a strong vision of a new type of energy
ownership; one in which all members invest a tangible share. Each
member’s share of Birch Energy Co-op will reflect the average annual
electrical energy consumption of a Canadian household. Depending on the
size and electrical output of an energy generating system (in MW), the
proportionate number of shares (translating to the number of households
that system would power) will be offered.
At this point in time, most Canadians do not have access to 100%
renewable electrical power as many current home based systems (such as
solar and wind) do not typically allow for a recuperation of initial
investment. Birch Energy Co-op aims to achieve the creation of a system
in which individuals and/or Canadian households will be able to obtain
affordable as well as profitable renewable power to offset their
household energy usage costs.
Phase One, Power Generation and Revenue
Phase One of our Co-op will involve the purchase of one 2 MW wind
turbine (or more if membership interest is great enough). On average, a
turbine of this size equates to enough power output to supply
approximately 400 Canadian homes. As a result, at least 400 shares
would be offered in Phase One. The total cost of the energy-generating
facility (e.g. one 2 MW wind turbine) will be divided between members,
which will be the membership price.
Together, our members will choose the location of the Phase One
turbine, and also subsequent phases, from obtained and processed energy
data. Once this has been done and the turbine or energy-generating
facility is built, power generation will begin! If the energy system is
built in British Columbia, BC Hydro will purchase the energy through
their Standing Offer Program (more info on the Standing Offer Program
can be found on the BC Hydro website). Other provinces have similar
energy purchasing offers and could also be potential options for our
Co-op.
Finally, net revenue generated from our facilities will be equally
distributed amongst our members to either pay off existing loans or
offset our household energy costs.
Objectives of Birch Energy Co-op
At Birch Energy Co-op we aim to:
1) Empower individuals and households to live more ecologically
responsible lives through the direct ownership of renewable energy; 2)
allow individuals and families to diversify and slightly increase their
income sources; 3) install renewable energy capacity into the Canadian
power grid, thus helping to develop a sustainable future; and 4) expand
Birch Energy Co-op in subsequent phases and diversify renewable
energy-generating techniques, such as geothermal, tidal, wave,
run-of-river hydro, or even possibly solar.
Be sure to visit our News page to keep up-to-date on the progress of Birch Energy Co-op.
Our site is continually being updated. We are open to suggestions from
the general public and from our Co-op members on how to better run
Birch Energy Co-op, or this site specifically.
For supporting our Co-op, we would also like to give a special thanks to our excellent webhost Theorem.ca.
