The Burrard utilization study report: Review and analysis of the future role of Burrard Thermal Generating Station

The Burrard Thermal Generating Station is located at Port Moody, British Columbia, and burns natural gas to supply steam to six turbine units for generating up to 912 MW of electricity. The Burrard plant accounts for ca 8.7% of the provincial generating capability. Burrard is expected to continue to fill a vital role as a supplier of displaceable firm energy to the British Columbia Hydro system. In parallel with a renewed focus on Burrard from a system planning perspective, there have also been concerns about air pollution from the plant in the context of its possible effect on the region's air quality. To address this and other issues surrounding Burrard's future, B.C. Hydro established a project team to conduct a utilization study. The team's work focused on the role of Burrard in providing a reliable and profitable role in electricity generation, the options for dealing with the air quality issue, and the implications of choosing one option over another. The team examined a wide range of issues including the remaining useful productive life of the plant, air quality, emissions reduction technologies, long-term gas prices and availability, and seismic stability of the plant. Key findings and recommendations of the study team are reviewed. A financial analysis showed that operating the plant in the displaceable firm energy mode is clearly superior to shutting the plant down and $100 million superior to operation in the full baseload mode. Selective catalytic reduction technology applied to at least the first four of the plant units is the favored option for ensuring better air quality. The value of Burrard would be increased further if its availability factor could be increased to 85%. 7 figs., 3 tabs