Although hydroelectric stations have provisions for stopping fish passage or attractive fish around turbines a small portion go through the hydroelectric turbine. Typically the turbines wins. A new turbine type called an Eco-Bulb turbine handles this problem nicely while improving effeciency. By combining the turbine and generator into one housing (the bulb) many traditional problems with hydroelectric power is mitigated. The new turbines are more effecient, can be used at sites that couldnt be developed before such as old dams that have small flows of water and are fish friendly. Currently the only site in North America with this technology is at Trenton, Ontario at an old dam site that had been adandoned.
Monthly Archives: October 2005
Bio Lube
Probably not what you were hoping for, but the hydroelectric industry has recently been experimenting with lubrication using biologically degradable oils from natural sources. When a hydroelectric turbine is in operation it must be well lubricated or else friction and instability are created which shake and therefore damage both the turbine and casing. However, a small portion of the oil inevitably leakes into the water. Although less than the waste oil from a motor vehicle the hydroelectric industry is experimenting with biodegrabalbe oils with regulations the threat of fines or enforcement. A hydroelectric industry spokesman commented that bio lube is simply a choice since they work as well as conventional lubes and the industry does not have to worry about spills. With future advancements bio lube could be converted to higher temperature operations such as oil inside a car engine.
Thanks and More Thanks!
For many Canadians this time of year can be great fun! We get into the excitement of yummy turkey dinners with mashed potatoes, gravy and the best stuffing recipes only YOUR mom can make best. My mouth is watering just thinking about this Thanksgiving. It can also be easy to get so involved in the festivities that we forget what the holiday is really all about! BEING THANKFUL!!! Giving thanks for all of the creature comforts that we are blesed with and the numerous opportunities before us as humans in North America is a really great way to remember just how fortunate we really are. It helps us to look on the bright side of our daily lives and realize how significant our experience really is.
Canadian Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to be thankful for the years harvest and also has some historical ties to the early settlments of Canada as a time of year to give thanks for the land and for surviving the long journey it took to find it. Enjoying turkey dinners of course is relevant to that because the harvest is what brought our food to us. Nowadays there is even more to it as our food travels varying distances before coming to our plate and the plethora of food selection we have is so deliciously enormous!
So today, for all who are reading this, perhaps we can take the time to remember just how lucky we all are and not forget to count our blessings along with our helpings of YUMMY GOODNESS!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Healthy Eating is Better than Junk
In a small town in Ontario, Canada a small, but healthy war is raging. A healthy food cafeteria in a school is trying to out-do a junk-food cafe in the same school.
It appears to have met with some sucess.
Thanks, Ben Powers!
Asian Countries Agree on Flu
Agricultural Ministers in South East Asia have agreed on a plan to wipe out avain flu.
“The three-year plan includes provisions for a disease surveillance and alert system, vaccinations, improving diagnostic capability and the establishment of disease-free zones.”