Ontario Power Generation

Atikokan Generating Station

Atikokan Generating Station (GS), in operation since 1985, is located near the Town of Atikokan, 190 kilometres west of Thunder Bay. It has one coal-fuelled generating unit with low nitrogen oxide (NOx) burners that produces over 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity using low sulphur lignite coal from Western Canada. Annual electricity production is typically in the range of 900 gigawatt-hours (GWh) or 900 million kilowatt-hours (KWh), enough to supply about 70,000 households for a year.

Commitment to Excellence
Atikokan GS' staff of about 90 highly skilled people includes engineers, technicians, mechanical and electrical maintenance tradespeople, plant and equipment operators, environmental technicians, managers and administrators. Together they strive to maintain a workplace that is respectful and supportive of all employees.

OPG has invested in Atikokan GS to maintain its availability to help meet Ontario's needs for electricity. The station received a major overhaul in the fall of 2003. The overhaul was delayed so the plant could contribute to restoring electricity supply in Ontario following the northeastern North America blackout in August of that year. During the overhaul, staff and contractors repaired and modified the plant's main boiler, auxiliary boiler, and intermediate pressure turbine to improve efficiency and reliability.

One measure of Atikokan GS' success is the registration of its environmental management system to the ISO 14001 standard of the International Organization for Standardization. Registration demonstrates to customers and the community that the station is being operated in an environmentally responsible manner.

In addition, Atikokan GS is committed to producing electricity safely, reliably, and cost effectively. To achieve these goals, the station emphasizes health and safety, quality management, and a commitment to operations excellence.

OPG's Environmental Commitment
Since the mid 1980s, OPG and its predecessor Ontario Hydro have focused particular attention on reducing fossil plant emissions to air. More than $1.8 billion has been invested in our fossil stations to reduce sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, which contribute to acid rain and smog. OPG's fossil plants are now producing more energy than in the early 1980s, but with 60 per cent lower acid gas emissions.

To achieve these results, improvements have been made not only at Atikokan but right across OPG's fossil fleet, through use of low sulphur coal and the addition of "smart" computer control systems to improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions.

As a result, Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data show that OPG's acid gas emissions per unit of energy produced from fossil fuels are considerably lower than those of most generating companies in the U.S. Northeast and Midwest.

OPG meets all environmental standards set by its regulators. In addition, OPG continues to improve performance in areas not subject to regulation such as energy efficiency, wildlife habitat enhancement, and recycling.

Reducing NOx and SO2
Atikokan GS uses only low sulphur lignite coal from Western Canada to reduce emissions to air of sulphur dioxide. Emissions to air of nitrogen oxides are reduced by the use of low NOx burners and controlled by effective operation and maintenance of the units. In 2003, a new Continuous Emission Monitoring system was installed that measures actual NOx and SO2 as they are emitted providing more accurate information for operators. This equipment helps them adjust operations to reduce emissions and provides better information for reporting.

Reducing Particulate Emissions and Dust
More than 99 per cent of ash particles in the flue (exhaust) gases are removed before the gas is released. These gases are continually monitored to ensure that they meet government standards.

About 65 per cent of the recovered fly ash is sold for use as binding materials in cement or as fill for roads. Unsold ash is stored at the station landfill.

Groundwater runoff from the ash storage site is monitored twice a year. To date, 25 per cent of the total area of the site (80 per cent of the active area) has been graded and covered with a low permeability geomembrane barrier which virtually eliminates fugitive dust and water infiltration. To also help prevent fugitive dust problems, coalhandling systems are enclosed and coal piles are compacted and sprayed with water.

Safeguarding Water Quality
Plant water quality is maintained by ensuring that all plant effluents are channeled through two effluent treatment systems - the Furnace Ash Water Treatment System and the Oil/Water Separator System. These treated effluent streams are subject to Ontario's Municipal/Industrial Strategy for Abatement (MISA) limits and are monitored for the presence of various chemicals. Results are reported quarterly to the MOE.

Septic system effluent from the plant is routed to two sewage lagoons on site where it is held until testing proves that it meets the limits whereby it can be safely released to the natural environment.

The low permeability geomembrane covering most of the active area of the ash landfill prevents virtually all water infiltration and the formation of leachate. Groundwater around the ash landfill is monitored twice a year for approximately 30 chemical leachate parameters. Surface water in Icy Lake, the receiving water body, is also monitored regularly.

The intake and discharge temperature of lake water, which is used to condense steam, is measured to ensure the change in temperature meets MOE guidelines. Various studies have been and will continue to be done to assess the station's impact, if any, on fish, vegetation and wildlife.

Enhancing Wildlife Habitat
Atikokan GS is located in a remote Northwestern Ontario setting rich in biodiversity. The cornerstone of the site's Biodiversity Policy is the principle of maintaining the existing variety of flora and fauna present on the extensive plant site. It is common to observe moose, deer, fox and beaver as well as a wide variety of bird and native plant species.

Strategic partnerships with community organizations are encouraged wherever possible. For example, the local Junior Rangers have taken part in purple loosestrife (purple loostrife is a plant that spreads rapidly and can degrade wetlands and crowd out outher plants) removal initiatives on the plant site.

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Your community contact is
Edward Enge
(807) 597-1110 ext.3500

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