EPCOR is constantly seeking and developing the newest technologies that create greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
Genesee currently uses the best available technology economically achievable (BATEA) in the production of power.
But EPCOR is never satisified with the high standards it has already set. Our people are always looking for new technological breakthroughs that can increase efficiency and reduce emissions. Read below about how EPCOR is developing technologies that will lead the power industry into its future.
Read more about how EPCOR applies the newest technology
Genesee Phase 3 (G3) sets new standards for Canadian power production. Built and operated by EPCOR, and owned jointly with TransAlta Corporation, the 495 megawatt unit is Canada's first generation facility to use supercritical combustion technology for greater fuel efficiency and significantly lower emissions. The supercritical boiler uses higher temperatures and steam pressures, together with a high-efficiency steam turbine, to create a more efficient process for converting thermal energy into electricity.
Genesee is poised to receive state-of-the-art emissions control technology designed to capture at least 70 per cent of mercury from coal. Emission reductions on this scale pose a considerable challenge since the mercury concentration in flue gas is extremely low—about one part per billion.
At Genesee, land reclamation involves re-contouring mined areas and ensuring they are covered with good quality subsoil before the topsoil is replaced. Recontouring operations are specifically designed to ensure that water drainage will enhance the various land uses.
Keephills 3 is a net 450 megawatt (MW) coal-fired generating facility that will be built in partnership with TransAlta Corporation adjacent to the existing Keephills power plant, located about 70 kilometres west of Edmonton. Keephills 3 will use supercritical technology – the best available technology economically achievable for use with sub-bituminous coal. It is the same technology that EPCOR and TransAlta introduced to Canada at the Genesee 3 facility. Supercritical technology is consistent with the state of the art in the world for sub-bituminous coal.
A cleaner future
EPCOR is leading Canadian efforts to commercialize synthetic gas technology, which will provide a long-term source of clean power to sustain our growing communities and their economies. By turning coal into synthetic gas – and capturing CO2 – we can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas and smog-related emissions to produce electricity that’s cleaner than the best natural gas facility.