The Sachem
Some Haldimand council members are concerned about a “sizzling” noise coming from Samsung Renewable Energy’s transmission line. Ward 1 Coun. Leroy Barlett said he witnessed an usual noise along Haldimand Road 20 where the transmission line runs. “It’s a sizzling of those lines up ahead,” he told council at the Jan. 13 committee meeting.
Bartlett said he feels this is one of a number of “significant issues” related to Samsung’s transmission project. “We have towers that I think are put in the wrong spot,” Bartlett said. “Now, we have these concerns from residents about the sizzling or crackling of the lines.” He suggested council send letters to the province and Samsung about these issues, and added that he feels residents “shouldn’t have to live through” this.
Bartlett’s concerns were backed up by other councillors at the meeting when Ward 2 Coun. Fred Morison said he also heard the noises as well. Morison described the transmission line noise as “bacon frying.”
“If you got these things making noise then there’s obviously a lot of power getting out that shouldn’t be at all,” Coun. Craig Grice added. “Maybe I’m right. Maybe I’m wrong, but I think we should find that out.” Read article
Mr. Bartlet,
This has been going on in the Norfolk County development for YEARS! How much was the vibrancy fund received by Haldimand?? Buzzing, sizzling, cracking, it’s all the same. Don’t worry about the people, it only harms some of them, and not seriously. Shoulda llistened to the voices of residents of Norfolk prior to your development.
Haldimand really didn’t care about neighboring Norfolk and their concerns living with the turbines; until the turbines were built in their own back yards. :-/
Should I call the whaaaaambulance?
“If you shut up truth and bury it under the ground, it will but grow, and gather to itself such explosive power that the day it bursts through it will blow up everything in it’s way.”
Emile Zola
High Voltage Laboratory
‘Audible noise from high voltage overhead transmission lines (CONOR)
Foul weather (rain,fog, snow and frost) can lead to discharges on high voltage transmission lines. These corona discharges result in a broadband crackling noise.
And this noise can cause particular annoyance.
Article is accessed through:
http://www.eeh.ee.ethz.ch/en/no_cache/power/high-voltage-laboratory/research/former-projects-of-the-high-voltage-laboratory-hvl.html
Select the article title.
Background information that confirms residents complaints.
United Power Phase lll Transmission Line Project,
Electrical and Magnetic Fields and Audible Noise, May 2012
Prepared by CH2M Hill, Englewood, CO
P.6
Irregularities (such as nicks and scars) on the conductor surface or sharp edges on suspension hardware can result in corona spots.
Weather conditions and dust and insects on conductor surfaces are sources for corona.
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/uwpBromleyAppendix_E.pdf
Corona causes the noise on transmission lines.
Electrical Notes & Articles, March 23, 2011
What is Corona?
Corona is power loss and in extreme cases it can damage system components overtime.
Corona occurs on all types of transmission lines but becomes more noticeable at higher voltages 345 kV and higher.
http://www.electricalnotes.wordpress.com/2011/03/23/what-is-corona-effect
Corona effects are well known to engineers but was the public informed about these issues before the power lines were installed?
Great Northern Transmission Line
‘Leveraging hydro power and wind power to lower costs’
Minnesota Power allows excess electricity generated by Minnesota’s wind turbines to be used by Manitoba Hydro customers rather than their using hydro power.
Minnesota Power can also get the best return on investments from their excess wind generation production.
Excess wind power sent from Minnesota Power to Manitoba at night to be stored by Manitoba Hydro facilities.
http://www.greatnortherntransmissionline.com/online-routing-meeting/clean-energy
Just as Denmark does.
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Finance & Commerce, April 16, 2012
‘For Minnesota electric utilities, Canada is a green giant’
Manitoba Hydro sells 20-35 % of its power to utilities in the U.S.
Manitoba Hydro power contracts between Minnesota and Wisconsin.
http://www.finance-commerce.com/2012/04/for-minnesota-utilities-canada-is-a-green-giant
Flood land in Canada to supply U.S. power markets.
Hey Barbara,
I can’t figure out – what part to dislike.
I’m having a mechanical brain dysfunction
Both! Rural Americans get stuck with IWTs and rural Canadians get flooded.
Thanks!
I just wanted to get the full story.
Once wind power is blended and/or stored with hydro power, the wind power then becomes a reliable source of power which can bring more money to investors and be used for long term power supply contracts.
AESO, Powering Alberta, Sept. 18, 2013
‘Montana-Alberta tie line now fully operational’
MATL is a 230 kV “merchant intertie” owned by Enbridge
Capacity is 300 MW & 345 km long.
“The addition of MATL to the AIES will bring diversity to Alberta’s electricity supply and will help support the development of wind generation.”
http://www.poweringalberta.com/2013/09/18/montana-alberta-tie-line-now-fully-operational
The MATL line runs north from Great Falls, Montana to Lethbridge, Alberta. Power from Montana to Alberta.
About half the cost of this $300 million project funded by U.S. Dept. of Energy, Western Area Power Administration low cost 30 year loan.
http://www.enbridge.com/MediaCentre/News.aspx?yearTab=en2011&id=1506267
Alberta Oil Magazine, Nov. 18, 2011
‘Enbridge Inc. takes over a troubled power project’
Scroll down to:
“The line already has customers, chiefly wind power generators in Montana, who have signed long-term contracts to pay to ship power to Alberta on the line.”
http://www.albertaoilmagazine.com/?s=Enbridge+takes+over+troubled+power+project&search=Search+
Tonbridge Power Inc. is a Toronto company that Enbridge acquired and operates as an Enbridge subsidiary. Tonbridge started this MATL transmission line project.
U.S. government loaned money so that Montana wind generators and others could sell their power to Alberta.
U.S. Department Of Energy
Office of Inspector General
Office of Audits and Inspections
Management Alert, November, 2011
Provides information on the MATL project
The MATL was funded in part by a $161 million federal financing agreement and due to a variety of problems is estimated to be 2 years behind schedule and $70 million over budget; essentially out of funds and currently at a standstill.
http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/OAS-RA-12-01.pdf
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Yahoo Finance, Aug.17, 2012
“Enbridge Repays U.S. Federal Transmission Program Loan on Montana-Alberta Tie-Line (NATL) Project
Loan was granted in 2009 for NATL & Enbridge not part of this project at that time.
Enbridge repaid U.S. $151 million after acquiring Tonbridge.
http://www.finance.yahoo.com/news/enbridge-repays-u-federal-transmisssion-161900906.html
CAL WATCHDOG , COM July 2, 2013
‘CA ratepayers fleeced for green power line in Canada’
The Western Power Administration is an independent agency that has 56 hydropower plants generating 10,515 MW from 15 Central and Western states.
$161 M loan source.
http://www.calwatchdog.com/2013/07/02/ca-ratepayers-fleeced-for-green-power-line-in-canada
Californians are not the only ones fleeced in this deal.
Wind Power Monthly, May 11, 2010
‘Invenergy to enable wind farms with Montana transmission line’
Invenergy has signed on as an anchor shipper on the Green Line, a project proposed by Toronto-based Tonbridge Power. Also known as MATL line.
http://www.windpowermonthly.com/article/1002345/invenergy-enable-wind-farms-montana-transmission-line-finance
Canadian Manufacturing
CleanTech Canada, July, 2014
‘La Caisse buys stake in clean energy producer Invenergy’
La Caisse announced plans to acquire a 24.7% interest in Invenergy Wind LLC.
http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/financing/la-caisse-buys-stake-clean-energy-producer-invenergy-138943
Invenergy has 11 wind farms in the U.S and Canada.
Montana, Ontario, Quebec and Alberta interests included.
Proactive Investors USA & Canada, Aug.16, 2011
‘Enbridge to acquire Tobridge in $19.5 million deal’
Enbridge will buy at $0.54/share representing a 116% premium to Tobridge’s share price of $0.25/share closing price on Aug.8, 2011.
http://www.proactiveinvestors.com/companies/news/17299/enbridge-to-acquire-tobridge-power-in-195-million-deal-17299.html
Nice deal for Tobridge Power shareholders.
BLUEGREEN ALLIANCE, c.2010
Commentary on Montana wind energy and the U.S. 2009 Recovery Act
The Montana – Alberta Tie Line project was “shovel ready” so it got the $161 million loan from the Western Power Administration to continue building this project.
Good for members of the BlueGreen Alliance as well which includes the Steel Workers.
http://www.bluegreenalliance.org/apollo/signature-stories/doe-western-area-power-administration-borrowing-athority
This line project connects into the U.S. western grid so that renewable energy can be sold to both the U.S. and Canada.
Western U.S. hydro electric power involved here.
DOE – U.S. Inspector General’s Report, Nov.4, 2011
P.5: Overall Impacts of MATL Project
“They also noted that failing to fund market purchases like steel poles would have unalterably impacted the project by removing MATL from the manufacturing queue.”
http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/OAS-RA-12-01.pdf
Can’t cut off the manufacture of steel poles.
Knowing one situation makes it possible to compare it with other situations involved in the transmission of renewable power.
Chicago Climate Exchange Board included:
Maurice Strong
Elizabeth Dowdeswell
Michael Polsky, Founder & CEO, Invenergy
http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/board.asp?privcapId=24912469
Invenergy has wind interests in Canada and the U.S.
RECHARGE NEWS, Sept.24, 2010
“Ireland’s Gaelectric has received $18 M from private European equity sources to book 906 MW of transmission capacity from its planned wind energy development projects in the US state of Montana.”
http://www.rechargenews.com/wind/article1288090.ece
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Independent . IE, 07/10/2012
‘Gaelectric founders’ stake will top E60 m after funding’
“Gaelectric announced last week that it has hired Royal Bank of Canada Capital Markets to help it raise E60 m for projects the company is planning across Ireland.”
http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/gaelectric-founders-share-will-top-60m-after-funding-28818242.html
Just some background information.
Local government should be accountable and responsible.
Everyday stupidity:
‘[excerpt] Some Haldimand council members are concerned…..’
Okay – then……..
– therefore citizens should be asking,
WHAT ELSE – CAN THEY DO – FOR US?
p.s. the mayor and CAO must be ‘exasperated’ – eh?
p.p.s. I suppose it’s the thought that counts
Wait – what really counts?
Which company if any did the impact study for this Haldimand transmission line?
Corona is quite normal for anyone used to working in a high voltage electrical enviroment. However, the location of these poles has brought that phenomina closer to the general public who are not used to the effect. As has been point out above, its degree is sensitive to voltage, humidity in the air (particularly during fog in spring and fall), the sharp ends of conductors or stand off insulators. In the days of tall ships corona was called St. Emo’s fire. That same blue light can’t be seen around corona points during dark hours in the right conditions.
How can you fix it? A better insulator design to reduce corona would have been a better choice, however, that wouldn’t likely have eliminated the effect, just reduced it.
As i mentioned, this is a normal occurance in a high voltage electrical enviroment.
……..a correction to the my above submission. I sometimes type too fast. The bluish haze of corona or St. Elmo’s fire CAN be seen in dark hours i the right conditions.