Our emissions profile
The fuel mix of our fleet includes coal, solid fuel (tire-derived fuel and biomass), natural gas, and wind. Coal and solid-fuel generation creates higher and more types of emissions than natural gas, while wind has zero emissions. The most obvious determinant of emissions is the generation output, or how many hours per year the facilities operate.
The relative size of each generation facility makes it challenging to compare our facilities across the fleet. Specifically, Genesee dominates both generation output and emissions.
Eighty-one percent of our net generation comes from coal, five percent comes from natural gas, and fourteen percent comes from renewables (wind, biomass, tire-derived fuel, and landfill gas). The combustion of any fuel emits greenhouse gas (GHG) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). The combustion of coal, biomass, or tire-derived fuel (TDF) releases sulphur dioxide (SO2), metals, and other compounds to the atmosphere.
The most significant emissions from fuel-fired generation, excluding GHG, include NOx, SO2, particulate matter (PM), and mercury.
Mercury emissions decreased
Genesee Units 1, 2, and 3 completed its third year with the Activated Carbon Injection (ACI) system, which is used to lower mercury concentration in flue-gas emissions.
In 2013, Genesee 1 and Genesee 2 had a capture rate of 80% and Genesee 3 had a capture rate of 84% versus a 2013 requirement of 80% capture. We will continue to monitor and adjust injection rates to meet future targets.
Oxides of nitrogen, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter
Our Genesee 1 and 2 facilities are the main contributors of NOx, SO2 and particulate matter (PM) emissions in our fleet. Genesee 3, co-owned with TransAlta, has much lower NOx and SO2 emissions due to the addition of pollution-control equipment such as low NOx burners and flue-gas desulfurization.
Genesee Unit 3, as a transitional unit, must meet the Clean Air Strategic Alliance Electricity Project Team (CASA EPT) NOx (0.69 kg/MWh) and SO2 (0.80 kg/MWh) standards for new thermal generation units by December 31, 2015. Capital Power already meets, and has been consistently below, the NOx standard.
Capital Power submitted a CASA Implementation Plan for Genesee Unit 3 to Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) on December 21, 2012, and expects to meet the emissions intensity limits for SO2 by the December 31, 2015 deadline. SO2 emissions are expected to decrease by 37% to meet the limit.
In general, natural-gas facilities have low NOx, SO2 and PM emissions and no mercury emissions. Due to the sale of the New England facilities, the U.S.-specific emissions intensities for NOx, SO2, PM, and mercury have increased.