Niagara Pump Generating Station proven functionality unique in Canada

Hydropower plant design, construction and operation are complex tasks. A large number of details must be carefully considered, coordinated and executed, in order that the projects achieve safe and economical operation. The Sir Adam Beck Pump Generating Station (PGS) is a six unit station commissioned in 1957. It has a production capacity of 174 MW and also provides regulation of the Sir Adam Beck 1 and 2 forebay level and crossover water level control. Originally constructed by the English Electric Company, this plant with its Deriaz units is unique within Canada and one of very few in the world. Ontario Power Generation (OPG) maintains and operates generating station (PGS) located in Niagara Falls. OPG´s generating portfolio also includes a considerable nuclear component not amenable to rapid load changes. There are occasions when the load on the system falls below the available supply from these nuclear assets. OPG also has significant intertie capability with neighbouring utilities and sale of this energy is one of the methods by which this imbalance can be managed. Operating the PGS in the pump mode to supply additional load on the system is another means of managing the load/base generation mismatch. There are times when market conditions exist where these options are limited or not sufficient to balance the system load. At these times other more costly control measures must be implemented.