Leave the text-only version and return to the original page view. Natural Gas Fired Power
Of the total electricity generated in Canada, approximately 8% (50 million megawatt hours) is from the combustion of natural gas. Current generating capacity in natural gas-fired power plants is about 9,500 megawatts. These plants comprise steam electric plants (boilers), combustion turbines (or 'gas turbines') and internal combustion engines. The boilers account for less than 20% of the capacity and gas turbines slightly more than 75%. The remaining capacity results from reciprocating engines.
One of the cleanest fossil fuel-fired options available for electric power generation is gas turbine plants fuelled by natural gas. Since natural gas contains no ash and practically no sulphur or metals, emissions of these substances are virtually zero. The emissions of concern from these plants are nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2) although the quantities of emissions are lower than from similar sized coal and oil-fired plants. Major environmental issues related to these pollutants include smog and climate change. Dry Low NOx combustion, and system efficiency through cogeneration, are the most effective solutions to these issues. Some electric peaking and standby capacity using oil-fired gas turbines is used in most Canadian utilities.
Natural gas-fired combustion turbines are especially efficient when used in combined heat and power (CHP)systems and for direct energy. Natural gas combined cycle co-generation is more than 80% efficient because the fuel is used for both electricity generation and heating and cooling. In comparison, a typical coal-fired boiler is only 33% efficient.
Canadian Governments Actions
In January 2003, Environment Canada released the New Source Emission Guidelines for Thermal Electricity Generation under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. The Guidelines provide limits for emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) for fossil-fuel fired steam combustion units (boilers). The Guidelines will be revised over time to include mercury and to reflect new technology. Environment Canada also has Codes of Practice for steam electric power generation.
Environment Canada led the development of the National Emission Guideline for Stationary Combustion Turbines, published by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment in December 1992. This Guideline is used today by many provincial permitting agencies.
For additional information, please visit:
