These factors make solar power generation more feasible for small-scale developments without grid connection where cost is not an issue, electricity demand is low, or access if difficult. For this sort of application, PV is economical. Tidal the cost of generating electricity in this manner is still too high issues of reliability and longevity of tidal turbines need to be addressed tidal energy is variable and intermittent further work needs to be done on the potential environmental impacts of current technologies 6. I've read that other countries are using wind power to meet their energy needs. While it is true that wind power generation is a proven technology and is widely used in many parts of the world, until very recently, there has been little research conducted on the viability of wind power in British Columbia.
Wind speeds are a critical factor in determining the potential for wind power.
BC Hydro has erected, or partnered in erecting, five wind speed monitoring towers to gather data on the feasibility of wind power in British Columbia. We plan to erect 10 more tall monitoring towers throughout the province in the coming year. Wind monitoring is undertaken to determine the true size of the wind resource at a given location, the seasonal variability, and the consistency of the wind. Wind monitoring must be done for a minimum of one year prior to making a decision on whether or not to proceed with wind energy development at that location. BC Hydro recently completed the first wind energy resources map of our province, generated through computer modelling, which provides annual average predicted wind speeds.