$20M Upgrade to Cornwall Power Dam
Picture supplying electricity to 700,000 homes, and you will soon understand the importance of the "fuse box" at the R.H. Saunders Generating Station.
Hence, the Saunders dam has finished a $20 million upgrade to its protection and control (P&C) system.
"The equipment we used to have was from the late 1950s; it was a vintage electrical/mechanical system," said Dean MacIntosh, senior plant electrical engineer on Tuesday.
"Now we have gone to an electronic/digital system."
The project was a joint effort between Saunders' owner, Ontario Power Generation, and the main contractor, Quebec-based Alstom Power Canada and its subcontractors, Hemi Controls Inc. of Chambly, Que. and Laird Electric of Sudbury.
The work required an average of 20 contractor and Saunders staff over 12 months.
Like any house, the power dam is susceptible to "trips", from component failure to acts of God, such as lightning, MacIntosh said.
Saunders plant/project manager Bill Hughes said the investment is money well spent, as the dam generates about $250 million per year.
It is also one of the least expensive methods of electricity generation, costing about 3.5 cents per kilowatt, which is less than half the current residential Ontario Hydro blended rate of 7.74 cents/kWh.
Hughes said any upgrades will have long-lasting effects, citing the longevity of current hydroelectric dams, which can last well over 100 years.
The Saunders operation, although 53 years old, is actually among the newer stations in Ontario.
The P&C upgrade follows a massive, 16-turbine refurbishment which took place from 1992-2002. The new turbines boosted electrical production to 1,045 megawatts from 926 mw.
This output accounts for about 4% of Ontario power demand in peak periods, but 8% during lower periods.
The Saunders operation, which employs about 70 workers, is also marking its 13th year without a lost-time accident.
The dam is also replacing its fleet of company motor vehicles with energy-efficient Chevy Volts.
The dam is also replacing its fleet of company motor vehicles with energy-efficient Chevy Volts.
The above story and photo was written in by Greg Peerenboom and was published in the Cornwall Standard-Freeholder. The newspaper is available online at www.Standard-Freeholder.com
