OPG retrofits dams to squeeze out more hydro (and retire coal-fired capacity, Ontario)

[jpak]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2007/11/20/ot-dams-hydro-071120.html

Ontario Power Generation hopes to generate more hydroelectric power in the province by upgrading its existing dams with new technology and building massive new ones in the province's north as Ontario prepares to phase out its coal-fired power plants.

In the past few years, the company has been going through its inventory of 64 hydroelectric plants and upgrading them with improved technology, which will cost about $72 million by 2012, spokesman John Earl said Tuesday.

The new runner blades, which are turned by the water rushing past to generate electricity, were expected to generate 500 megawatts more power than the old blades, or roughly enough for 500,000 homes.

The company's hydro plants currently generate almost 7000 megawatts, and hydroelectricity generates around 30 per cent of the province's power.

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[Nihil]

1. Simple yet effective

That's an approach that is so simple in hindsight but will enable
hydropower to be a larger contributor *without* building any more dams!

Thanks for posting! :hi:

[Massacure]

2. Wow. $72 million dollars for 500 megawatts is dirt cheap.