#120 Jul 2015 PEI North Cape

At the extreme northwestern tip of Prince Edward Island, North Cape is the dividing point between the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Northumberland Strait.

The site is exposed to the winds of the surrounding waters from almost every direction, making it an ideal location for wind-energy research and testing at the Atlantic Wind Test Site.

Converting wind into energy dates back to the Persians who were the first to use windmills to pump water to irrigate parched land.

In the 17^th century the Dutch used windmills to drain the marshlands that kept much of the Netherlands submerged under water for centuries.

In 1860, Daniel Halladay, a Connecticut mechanic, invented a small windmill that sat on a tall wooden tower.

The above windmills pumped water from the ground for agricultural and household use.

Today wind turbines generate electricity which is essential for our modern lifestyle. See more info in post #11.

The V90 turbines dwarf the windmills. The turbines stand at a tower height of 80 m and the blade length of 45 m for a combined height of 125 m.

Industrialization and climate change have stimulated our need for renewable sources of energy. The wind blows everywhere across the globe and has been harnessed for centuries.

 Mariners are guided by the North Cape Lighthouse.

North Cape is alive with birds and sea life.

Fishing has taken place here for generations. Lobster, cod, herring mackerel, ling (hake), halibut, scallops and rock crab, as well as many other species have been taken by local fishers.

As we walked the shoreline jellyfish littered the gravel. Fascinating to see but they can still sting even after they die.

 

There were almost as many birds as jellyfish.

PEI has many natural wonders, history and charm. It would take weeks to explore Canada's smallest province.