Ontario Power Generation
OPG Thermal Fuel Conversion Program
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is making the transition to a lower carbon future and will phase out the use of coal at its four coal-fuelled Thermal electricity generating stations by the end of 2014.
Four coal-fired generators at Nanticoke Generating Station (GS) and two generators at Lambton GS, both in southwestern Ontario, have been retired. Advancing the shut down of these coal generators saved costs for consumers without risking the reliability of electricity supply and maintained the lowest emission coal generators in-service.
OPG has been exploring options to convert some of its coal-fuelled electricity generating stations to natural gas and/or forest or agriculture-based biomass. Conversion of these stations allows continued use of existing facilities owned by the people of Ontario, costs less than building new stations, reduces greenhouse gas emissions considerably, provides effective back up for growing intermittent renewable electricity sources like wind and solar and maintains employment and economic benefits in the station communities.
The Ontario Long-Term Energy Plan (LTEP), announced by the Minister of Energy in November 2010, states that Atikokan GS will be converted to biomass fuel; that Thunder Bay GS will be converted to natural gas fuel; and that Nanticoke GS will shutdown two more coal-fuelled generators by late 2011. While there is no commitment to convert Nanticoke GS or Lambton GS, the LTEP recognizes that conversion of some Nanticoke GS and Lambton GS generators from coal to natural gas is an option that can be considered in the future if they are required for system reliability. Co-firing of natural gas and biomass may be considered for OPG stations which are first converted to natural gas.
All Thermal fuel conversion projects will require government support, a Minister of Energy directive to the Ontario Power Authority to negotiate a power purchase agreement, environmental approval and a solid business case approved by OPG’s Board of Directors before projects can proceed.
Natural Gas Conversion
OPG is assessing plant modifications required for operation on natural gas and, potentially, biomass fuel at some time in the future.
Union Gas has initiated studies for a natural gas pipeline to supply Thunder Bay GS and Lambton GS. Because of the long lead-time required for a Nanticoke pipeline, the LTEP includes advance planning for a Nanticoke gas pipeline. Union Gas is conducting all technical studies, environmental studies and public consultation leading to the identification of the pipeline routes.
Biomass Fuel
OPG is exploring renewable biomass as an alternative fuel that could be used in some of its coal-fuelled electricity generators. Biomass is generally accepted around the world as being a renewable energy source that has climate change benefits. Mixing biomass with coal is already a well established practice in several European countries. OPG is working on repowering the Atikokan Generating Station to use only biomass fuel and is considering the potential to co-fire biomass with natural gas in other coal-fuelled units that might be converted in the future.
Biomass is plant material from agricultural and forest sources that can be used to produce energy. It can take the form of harvested plant material or by-products of processing operations, like wood chips, grain milling by-products and crop stover or stubble.
OPG’s biomass program will not use food crops for fuel. All fuel sources must meet the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change definition of renewable.
Biomass Lifecycle: Climate Change Benefits
OPG is Contributing to Biomass Research
Pembina Institute: Biomass Sustainability Analysis
OPG commissioned the Pembina Institute to conduct a sustainability analysis to determine if biomass sourced from Ontario forests meets the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change definition of renewable; to better understand the greenhouse gas reduction benefits of biomass; and, to estimate the socio-economic benefits of electricity production from biomass. The analysis uses detailed forest carbon and socio-economic modelling to examine a scenario using two million tonnes of wood pellets per year from Ontario’s Crown forests at four OPG coal plants.
The Pembina Institute has developed an easy-to-read Biomass Sustainability Analysis Summary Report, a 14-page summary of the full Biomass Sustainability Analysis.
Carbon Dioxide Lifecycle of Biomass Fuel
OPG contracted the University of Toronto to conduct an assessment of the full lifecycle carbon emissions associated with the use of wood pellets as biomass fuel. The UofT Lifecycle Assessment of Wood Pellet Use summary presentation is available for review. (This research was published in Environmental Science and Technology / Vol. 44, No. 1, 2010.)
Project to Commercialize Agricultural Biomass for Combustion Energy
OPG and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), with the support of the Ministry of Energy, have initiated a project to coordinate the analysis of the feasibility of a commercial agricultural biomass industry for the production of combustion energy in Ontario.
The project is being led by a Steering Committee representing a cross section of agriculture, industry, academic, and government experts. Under their direction, the project will examine the role agricultural biomass might have in producing power and heat to help reduce net greenhouse gas emissions, to help meet Ontario's climate change commitments and to help meet renewable energy targets.
Information about the work of the Steering Committee can be found on the OMAFRA website, http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/biomass/index.htm.
OPG presentations made to the Agricultural Steering Committee: