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Project Experience

Industrial & Energy

Energy and Power Generation Projects


About These Projects

BKL’s involvement in power generation projects has included land use compatibility assessments, noise impact assessments for environmental permitting, consultation during outline and detailed design, and commissioning services.

Services for operational sites have included environmental or occupational noise and vibration assessments to assess complaints or meet health and safety requirements.

Recommendations typically include noise and vibration controls and management plans to meet criteria.

Common Acoustical Challenges:

  • Substation and transformer noise
  • Turbine and generator noise
  • Low-frequency and tonal noise
  • Effects on wildlife habitat
  • Land use compatibility
  • Permitting and public hearings

BC Hydro Additional Generators: Revelstoke Unit 5 and Mica Units 5 & 6

Revelstoke, Mica Creek, BC

Acoustical design for additional turbines, generators, transformers and related equipment at existing hydro-electric generating stations, including measurement and assessment of interior noise levels resulting from existing units.

Mount Pleasant Substation

Vancouver, BC

Design for new electrical substation adjacent to residential, including baseline noise measurements, measurements at comparable substations, recommendations for noise control and meeting with residents.

Kwoiek Creek Hydro Project Wildlife Noise Effects Assessment

Lytton, BC

Assessed potential effects on mountain goat range due to rock hammering noise by performing site noise measurements and developing Cadna/A noise model.

Upper Lillooet Hydro Project

Lillooet, BC

Two studies performed to assess baseline noise and potential construction noise impacts at a nearby goat range for 100 MW run-of-river hydro-electric plants.

Fitzsimmons Creek Hydro Project

Whistler, BC

Environmental noise assessment including baseline noise monitoring, measurements at a comparable plant, predictions, specifying acoustical treatment and commissioning assessment.

Wildmare Wind Energy Project

Chetwynd, BC

Environmental noise assessment for BCEAA permit application including baseline noise monitoring, historical weather statistics analysis and turbine noise predictions to ISO and Harmonoise standards.

BC Hydro Site C Peer Review

Fort St John, BC

BC Hydro retained BKL to perform an independent third party review of the environmental noise assessment performed for the proposed “Site C” 1100 MW hydro project in the Peace River Region.

Ashlu Creek Hydro Project

Squamish, BC

Environmental noise assessment for 50 MW run-of-river project 35 km northeast of Squamish, BC. Assessment included baseline noise monitoring in rural residential area, noise predictions and assistance with public consultation.

Monte Rio Power Plant Upgrade

Puerto Viejo, Dominican Republic

Environmental noise assessment of future construction and operations noise levels using Cadna/A noise model and World Bank standards with mitigation such as silencers and barriers.

Surrey Biofuel Facility

Surrey, BC

Land use compatibility evaluation for proposed largest organic biofuel facility in Canada.

Island Cogeneration Facility

Campbell River, BC

Analysis of noise from proposed cogeneration facility and prediction of impact on adjacent residential community.

Kettle River Hydro Project

near Grand Forks, BC

Environmental noise assessment for 28 MW run-of-river power project. BKL conducted baseline noise measurements, impact assessment and participated in public hearings.

Words From Our Clients

“Mica Unit 5 and Unit 6 was a challenging project which required BKL to shift scheduling expectations several times in order to support. BKL brought a logical and professional approach to the work that they performed and routinely exceeded the Project’s expectations on quality… They exceed expectations with their rapid turnaround of technical requirest and the quality that they brought to their work.”

Jesse Houle

Project Engineer at BC Hydro

Featured Case Study

Teck Trail Occupational Noise Survey

Teck Trail Occupational Noise Survey

The Occupational Noise Survey at Teck Metals Ltd.'s Trail Operations facility was undertaken to update and reassess workplace noise conditions across the plant. Previous measurements conducted in 2011 had identified high-risk zones where workers are required to wear double hearing protection as part of standard safety practices. As part of its ongoing occupational health and safety initiatives, Teck sought a clearer understanding of current noise conditions throughout the facility, along with opportunities to reduce worker noise exposure through engineering controls where practical. BKL was engaged to conduct an occupational noise survey at the Trail Operations site, with the objective of developing updated noise maps for the identified high-risk areas and reviewing potential noise mitigation options. Measurements and assessments were carried out in accordance with CSA Z107.56-13, Measurement of Noise Exposure, a standard referenced in WorkSafeBC guidance for occupational noise assessments. Our work focused on collecting reliable field data and translating it into practical insights that could support noise management and mitigation efforts within the facility. Key components of the scope included: The noise survey provided Teck with an updated understanding of noise conditions across key operational areas at the Trail Operations facility. Key outcomes of the project include: Through this work, we provided the data and analysis needed to better understand the workplace noise conditions and support ongoing efforts to manage occupational noise and protect worker hearing health. Learn more our projects here. Have a project in mind? Get in touch today.