LEGO BOARD & PRESENTATION
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OUR IDEA
WHO/HOW WE ASKED
WHAT WE LEARNED
THE COST
THE END RESULT
The Comparison
Sarah
Blizzard
-wind turbines
-heated driveway and walkway
-slanted driveway
Snow melts when ground temp is above 10 and when air temperature 17c
Wind is 56km/hour or more
Water Usage
The average household consumes 200 cubic meters of water per year. In 2012 the total cost was $826. For 2013 the cost
will be $885. This represents an increase of 7.1% or $59 annually. Each household receives four water bills per year so
for each bill the increase will be $15 compared to 2012 billings
Q. How much water is used daily in an average Thunder Bay home?
A: An average household consumes .55 cubic meters a day (120 gallons), which is 50 cubic meters in a three-month
billing period.
Q. What can I do to conserve water?
A: Water is lost due to leaking faucets, old water-guzzling toilets, and excessive outdoor watering. Practice the 3Rs of
wise water use:
Reduce – Become aware of the amount of water you’re using and look for ways to use less
Retrofit – Replace water-guzzling toilets and appliances with more water-efficient models, or retrofit existing appliances
with water-saving devices
Repair – Stop the leaks! In one year, a leak of just one drip per second wastes 3,000 gallons of water. Running toilets
should be repaired. A leaking toilet can waste hundreds of cubic meters of water a month and is the number one cause
of high water bills.
Q. Do billing charges continue if my property is vacant?
A: Yes. If your property will be vacant for an extended period, billing charges continue unless the meter is removed and
water is turned off at the street.
Shelby
Lego League
Solar Panels
New engineered solar panels have been designed to look like roofing tiles. This is so they have a more
appealing look than normal solar panels. They can replace roofing tiles, or go on top them. The solar panels come in
long panels, or much smaller ones that are the same shape as normal roofing tiles. The solar panels also come in
the shape of clay tiles, which also can be installed on top of others. All the panels come in the colour blue.
Windmills
A small wind system can be used on-grid (for a cottage, home, farm, or business) or off-grid (for a boat, RV,
cottage, home, farm, business, remote community, or remote station).
much)
HAWT wind turbines are for smaller areas. VAWT wind turbines are used for larger areas( Not made as
Benefits
Environment: Wind energy is non-polluting, and reduces the demand for higher-impact electricity from
thermal stations (e.g. oil, natural gas, coal), hydroelectric dams and nuclear generators.
Energy Independence: Wind turbine systems can assist you in gaining more independence from your local utility.
They can also make you less susceptible to power interruptions from the grid.
Cost: Wind energy systems are one of the most cost-effective home-based renewable energy systems. Depending
on your wind resource, a small wind energy system can lower your electricity bill by up to 100%. They can also
help you avoid rising and volatile electricity prices.
Remote Electricity Generation :If you are at a distance from existing grid lines, generating your own electricity
helps you avoid the high costs of having utility power line extensions.
Issues
Safety. Modern wind turbines are very safe and can operate for many years without any problems. However, it is
critical that safety precautions be taken when installing and operating a small wind turbine. One issue to consider
in northern climates is ice accumulation on the blades. Hydrogen venting from batteries is another potential issue.
Climbing of towers by the owner or maintenance persons is a potential liability. Special safety precautions are
required if children have access to the system.
Extreme weather. In some parts of the country, the environment is very hard on equipment and can cause
operational and durability problems for the wind energy system and batteries. Special turbine components,
lubricants, and maintenance schedules may be required to keep the turbine in optimal generating
condition. Corrosion of system parts at locations close to the ocean can also be a problem.
Neighbours: The proximity of a wind turbine to a neighbour's property should be discussed with the neighbour
before proceeding with a wind energy system purchase. Some particularly concerned neighbours may also call for
a public hearing seeking a conditional use permit or variance, where you would need to answer questions about
your project. As a rule of thumb, a turbine should be sited at least one or two times the tower height from any
property lines.
Aesthetics: The visibility of a particular wind system will depend on many factors, including tower height,
proximity to neighbors and roadways, local terrain, and tree coverage. A wind turbine can affect your view or that
of your neighbours, and it might block or change an historic landscape. In most areas of Canada, wind turbines are
also an uncommon sight so it is natural to expect some local reservations about their introduction. Objections are
more likely to occur in populated and tourist areas. Opposition is least likely to surface in rural settings.
Noise: The noise level of a turbine depends on several factors, including local wind characteristics (i.e. gusting and
rapid changes in direction), terrain (flat v. hilly) and the design of the turbine itself. Most modern turbines are not
disruptive as long as they are properly sited. For more details, see our Social, Environmental, and Other
Considerations page.
Zoning and Other Legal Issues. Local municipal offices should have information on restrictions with respect to
acceptable noise levels and permissible tower height. See our Legal & Regulatory pages for more information.
Local wildlife: Small wind turbines can pose a danger to birds in certain conditions. However, as shown in the
graph at right (Source: Erickson, et.al, 2002. "Summary of Anthropogenic Causes of Bird Mortality"), wind turbines
are far less of a danger to birds than buildings or household cats. To minimize any potential problems, avoid siting
a wind energy system on a migration route or where many birds nest and feed. The system should also be
designed to reduce perching and nesting opportunities. This is typically not a problem with smaller systems. See
our Social, Environmental, and Other Considerations page for more on wildlife issues.
Olivia
What are your average utility bills per month?
Really varies on the size, age and style of house, type of heating, and area. (Cost of gas/vs. electricity varies.) 2100
square foot house, natural gas heating, two people who both work at home. About $160/month on gas, $140/month
on hydro, $10/month on water.
$310/month.
$3720/year.
A blizzard is a severe snowstorm characterized by strong sustained winds of at least 56 km/h (35 mph) and lasting for a
prolonged period of time — typically three hours or more. A severe blizzard has winds over 72 km/h (45 mph), near zero
visibility, and temperatures of −12 °C (10 °F) or lower. A ground blizzard is a weather condition where snow is not falling
but loose snow on the ground is lifted and blown by strong winds.
A flood is an overflow of water that submerges land which is usually dry.[1] The European Union (EU) Floods Directive
defines a flood as a covering by water of land not normally covered by water.[2] In the sense of "flowing water", the
word may also be applied to the inflow of the tide. Flooding may occur as an overflow of water from water bodies, such
as a river or lake, in which the water overtops or breaks levees, resulting in some of that water escaping its usual
boundaries,[3] or it may occur due to an accumulation of rainwater on saturated ground in an a real flood. While the
size of a lake or other body of water will vary with seasonal changes in precipitation and snow melt, these changes in
size are unlikely to be considered significant unless they flood property or drown domestic animals. Floods can also
occur in rivers when the flow rate exceeds the capacity of the river channel, particularly at bends or meanders in the
waterway. Floods often cause damage to homes and businesses if they are in the natural flood plains of rivers. While
riverine flood damage can be eliminated by moving away from rivers and other bodies of water, people have
traditionally lived and worked by rivers because the land is usually flat and fertile and because rivers provide easy travel
and access to commerce and industry. Some floods develop slowly, while others such as flash floods can develop in just
a few minutes and without visible signs of rain. Additionally, floods can be local, impacting a neighborhood or
community, or very large, affecting entire river basins.
Pros
•Clean energy, no fuel to drill, mine, transport or burn (Eco Friendly)
•Renewable and sustainable
•Costs are relatively low and continue to decrease
•Abundant domestic supply (16X current electric demand!)
•The power is essentially free once the infrastructure is paid for.
•Low life cycle carbon footprint. Breakeven in eight months.
•Can be used almost anywhere.
Cons
•As mentioned earlier, the wind is inconsistent, unsteady and unpredictable (Solar is consistent)
•Wind power is not cheap and like many energy sources, rely on government subsidies to remain competitive.(Money to buy house)
•Wind farms are generally located in rural areas that might be otherwise picturesque. They are considered by some people to be an
eyesore. (Every house will have one)
•Wind turbines are noisy. Each one can generate the same level of noise as a family car travelling at 70 mph. (Noise reduced?)
•Wildlife impact. Not only birds, but bats have experienced fatalities. (Not relevant because of structure type)
•Localized impact on night-time temperatures and weather
(PROBLEM)