Environmental Initiatives at Burrard Generating Station

Transcription

1 Environmental Initiatives at Burrard Generating Station John Maher, Environmental and Social Issues Manager BC Hydro, Thermal Operations

2 Environmental Initiatives at Burrard Generating Station Burrard Upgrade Project completed in 2003 BC Hydro Long Term Goals Environmental Management System Employee Initiatives Side view of a 155 MW steam turbine and generator

3 In the beginning Construction of Burrard was started by BC Electric in the early 60s to meet growing demand: 950 MW of firm capacity near the load center. Unit 6 was completed in 1975 Originally dual fuel mainly natural gas with ability to burn residual oil from adjacent Ioco refinery (oil burner systems were removed in the 1990 s) Periods of high output ( GWh/yr) alternated with years of little generation (0-400 GWh/yr) as large hydro projects came on line. Environmental concerns drove major upgrades and impact studies starting in the mid 90 s

4 Burrard Generation vs System Water Supply Burrard Generation vs System Water Supply 4, Generation (GWh) 4,000 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1, Water Supply (% of normal) Fiscal Year 80 Burrard Generation (GWh) System Water Supply Until 2002, Burrard operated more during low water years when less energy was available from hydroelectric plants. Since 2002 gas prices have risen and it has been more economic to purchase needed energy from the market

5 Air quality Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) units were installed on all boilers to reduce nitrogen oxides emissions by 90%. Burrard is now the cleanest conventional steamelectric power plant in North America. Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems ( continuous air care ) to monitor emissions were installed to ensure compliance with the GVRD air permit. In 2000 with 3083 GWh generation BGS contributed 0.2% of lower Fraser Valley NOx.

6 Noise Silencers were installed on steam vents to prevent annoying noise during unit start-ups. Outside loudspeakers used for paging were removed; operators now carry two-way radios. There have been only 3 brief noise occurrences since 2002.

7 Distributed Control System (DCS) Improved efficiency Improved control of emissions

8 Ecology of Burrard Inlet Studies were conducted jointly with Fisheries and Oceans and university researchers to assess potential effects of cooling water circulation on water quality temperature salmon migration plankton productivity Results showed no significant impacts, provided information needed to renew effluent permit

9 Water Quality Use of chlorine to prevent biofouling was reduced to the minimum needed to prevent mussel attachment, and restricted to seasons with abundance of mussel larvae A dechlorination system was added to ensure no impact of residual chlorine on marine life (permit limit 0.02 ppm) Discharge water monitored daily by lab Continuous temperature monitoring and alarms to trigger control action by operators Oil containment systems were installed to ensure no oil escapes to Burrard Inlet

10 In the future BC Hydro s Long Term Goals (Generation focus) Reliable Supply: electricity self-sufficiency People: ensure we have the best team Safety: no serious injuries First Nations: relations built on mutual respect Financial: costs among the lowest in North America Environment: no net incremental environmental impact LTGs are being used to guide business planning and asset management for the long term (20 years) The future role of Burrard is still to be determined

11 Integrated Electricity Plan Burrard Thermal Generating Station is a large facility that burns natural gas when it generates electricity. While it has contributed to BC Hydro s firm energy and dependable capacity in the past, it is an aging plant that is inefficient by today s standards. Today its value is mainly as a plant that provides emergency capacity when needed. When operating, it is a source of local air emissions and its cost to operate is subject to gas price fluctuations. For these reasons, BC Hydro is planning to replace the energy and capacity generated at Burrard Thermal. This will be done in a staged and flexible manner that will ensure the replacement of energy and capacity is both cost-effective and available prior to any retirement of Burrard. (from Integrated Electricity Plan summary see )

12 Today Low level of operation (energy production) since 2002 due to high cost of gas 3 units in standby mode 475 MW capacity available on 8 hours notice 3 generators provide voltage support Steam supply to Imperial Oil Ioco Terminal (to heat heavy oil products for shipment and storage) Maintaining 950 MW capacity for long term recall Key role today is capacity ability to meet short-term peak demands on the system Continuous improvement through environmental management system

13 Security and Public Safety Post 9-11 attention to security Annual open house cancelled Tours by appointment Improved perimeter security Public Safety Management Plan Additional measures may be added to keep people away from plant equipment

14 Liaison with GVRD Parks, CPTA Monitor uncontrolled recreational activities (drinking parties) New gate at Belcarra Park entrance closed at night Fire prevention: trails closed during dry conditions Trail mapping with Canada Pacific Trials Association

15 Environmental Management System Evolution In 1998 Burrard GS was registered to the international standard ISO 14001:1996 as a stand-alone plant system Generation then developed an EMS for hydroelectric stations Thermal generating stations at Fort Nelson and Prince Rupert were registered separately In 2004 an umbrella EMS was developed to cover the 3 separate thermal stations: Harmonized with the Generation EMS Each has a plant-specific EMS implementation document In 2005 the new Thermal EMS was registered with BSI to ISO 14001:2004.

16 Environmental Management System The procedures to manage environmental concerns were integrated into core business processes and documented Provides a concise reference to operating instructions and manuals used by technicians and operators Continuous Emission Monitoring System Effluent Monitoring System Plant Operating Instructions Lab Manual Operating Orders Maintenance Instructions All employees have some role in EMS, usually embedded in their jobs

17 Employee Initiatives In 2005 an employee environment team was formed at Burrard GS, with members who volunteered from all departments. The team has initiated 5 projects to reduce impacts associated with work at Burrard. Employees were encouraged to find ways they could reduce waste, like this yard waste compost facility which cost very little and diverts 5 tons of waste per year from landfill.

18 Sustainability Workshop The team invited representatives from Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Burke Mountain Naturalists and BC Hydro s employee unions to participate in a seminar on sustainability at Burrard. This created a new wave of employee ideas and enthusiasm, and established new partnerships

19 Employee Initiatives: Power Smart Previous work had already reduced station loads Employees identified old lighting fixtures for potential savings Power Smart audits defined the potential energy savings and costs, good business case This month work is in progress which will achieve additional energy savings estimated at over 400,000 kwh/year mainly by replacing old lighting fixtures Outside lights had already been replaced with efficient lamps

20 Employee Initiatives: Recycling Additional facilities were put in place to divert waste from landfill: compost facility for yard waste (re-use) plastics recycling waste wood collection (re-use) small electronics and batteries Improved information on how to recycle Improved access to recycling facilities More bins for cardboard, paper, metals Blue boxes and collection pails in lunchrooms Scrap metal from plant upgrades and maintenance has always been recycled

21 Employee Initiatives: Recycling More separation of scrap metal, wood, plastics

22 Employee Initiatives: Leak-a-week Mechanics are targeting a leak a week to reduce oil loss, as part of scheduled maintenance

23 Employee Initiatives: Naturescaping New security fencing created a prison-like atmosphere Employees wanted to soften the fence, improve appearance and enhance habitat for wildlife Invited Burke Mountain Naturalists to advise on native species and how to plant Plantings of native species to attract birds and butterflies are being planned for the plant perimeter Will use compost produced on site

24 Employee Initiatives: Naturescaping Plan is to replace maples and cottonwoods with conifers, oaks and shrubs for year-round screen along waterfront

25 Employee Initiatives: Car Pool Employees are saving money by sharing the costs of using a Hydro fleet vehicle to commute from Mission Air emissions from commuting are reduced by over 80% compared to the cars previously used.

26 The End Questions? Call for information: John Maher