Black Diamond shortlisted in government competition

Black Diamond’s plan to construct a solar farm to offset its sewage treatment facility’s high electricity costs has been approved for the next phase of a Provincial challenge.
The Town, in partnership with Westend Regional Sewage Services Commission and Calgary’s AEnergy Capital, submitted a grant application last spring for a small-scale solar farm south of the upper lagoons through the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre’s Municipal Community Generation Challenge.
Westend, which budgeted $85,000 for its electric costs for 2019, would provide land for the project.
The provincial challenge invited communities to create sustainable solutions towards low carbon electricity generation that will result in developing renewable generation products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, diversifies the economy and whose data and knowledge can be transferred to other communities.
Stage 3, of which Black Diamond was approved, requires municipalities to submit a full project proposal by Jan. 8.
Coun. Brian Marconi said Black Diamond is proposing a solar photovoltaic system to generate electricity and offset the high electricity costs to operate the sewage treatment facility, which is billed to Black Diamond and Turner Valley taxpayers.
“We will have to show current electrical cost and what the savings will be,” he said. “We’re in pretty good shape because we have a lot of this stuff pretty well done.”
The project is estimated to cost $7 million, with the Town responsible for 10 per cent, or $700,000, which can be covered by other grants, land value or contributions.
Any electricity generated from the farm must be sold to the grid and the money used towards the operation of the sewage treatment plant to reduce utility costs for its operation, as is required by the Small Scale Regulation.
Marconi said the project was initially proposing a 1.3 to 1.5 megawatt solar system, but the Fortis Alberta connection study indicated the transmission lines going in and out of the proposed property is capable of handling a solar farm with a three megawatt power generator.
Sharlene Brown, Black Diamond’s chief administrative officer, said the announcement is good news for the Town.
“It fits with our strategic plan so this is just a piece of that journey,” she said. “We’re looking forward to the pieces of the journey coming together to create a more sustainable community. It’s not necessarily about carbon footprint, it’s about finding ways to be more efficient so it reflects on the cost of operations.”
Municipal Community Generation Challenge program lead Marc Baxter told the Western Wheel that the number of communities shortlisted and their names will not be released publicly as to not impact the competition.
The successful projects will be announced Feb. 20. The communities were shortlisted from 39 submissions.
The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre, which provides funding, technical assistance and education to support Alberta municipalities in addressing climate change, is investing up to $7 million and Alberta Innovates up to $3 million to fund one or more of the projects it selects for this competition.Sharlene Brown, Black Diamond’s chief administrative officer, said the announcement is good news for the Town.

“It fits with our strategic plan so this is just a piece of that journey,” she said. “We’re looking forward to the pieces of the journey coming together to create a more sustainable community. It’s not necessarily about carbon footprint, it’s about finding ways to be more efficient so it reflects on the cost of operations.”

Municipal Community Generation Challenge program lead Marc Baxter told the Western Wheel that the number of communities shortlisted and their names will not be released publicly as to not impact the competition.

The successful projects will be announced Feb. 20. The communities were shortlisted from 39 submissions.

The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre, which provides funding, technical assistance and education to support Alberta municipalities in addressing climate change, is investing up to $7 million and Alberta Innovates up to $3 million to fund one or more of the projects it selects for this competition.