Alternative energy discussed at Magrath council

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Westwind Weekly

Ron Riemann
Westwind Weekly News

Magrath Town Council listened to Tony Stephan and Mel De Winter talk about alternative energy during council’s regular meeting on March 14

Stephan provided information on a new passage Bill 27 in the Alberta Legislature, citing 30 per cent of energy power could be enabled through alternative means and sees a big change and big thrust beginning to happen in the Province.

He brought the Town’s bylaw into his talk, not criticizing it as much as commenting on when the bylaw was passed in 2007. He said the bylaw needs to be updated, especially with the change in technology.

“Ten years ago, it was very current,” he said. “Today, it’s a little behind, especially with this new movement to eliminate coal, to reduce carbon emissions, and that kind of thing.”

Horizontally-accessed wood turbine technology in the Town’s bylaw has changed.

Stephan and his group have developed a vertical-access turbine conceived for commercial buildings and residential homes, eliminating noise through a high-powered battery-operated generator. The units can be tied into the electrical grid or be utilized as a stand-alone.

Stephan said the main purpose of this information is to see if the Town would accept this new technology.

Council was curious whether the low-noise units would only be used for emergencies or if it could be incorporated for daily use.  Stephan said the $4,000 non-inverter systems can be set-up for both.

Council thanked both of them for their presentation and would look at the current bylaw through committee meetings.

Administration provided an update on AXIA and its rollout in Magrath. Chief Administrative Officer Wade Alston said they expect the first zone in Magrath to be fully rolled out in two months, and residents will notice new poles will be put into the ground to accommodate the work.

Coun. Brenda Beck reminded Council on information she sent to her colleagues a month ago about a business refurbishing tennis courts. Beck found it intriguing enough to obtain information on refurbishing the tennis courts, adding that new courts cost $250,000.