Yellow plume from Portlands part of start up


CSA Z463 Electrical Maintenance -

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 6 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$249
Coupon Price:
$199
Reserve Your Seat Today
Beach residents driving downtown one morning may have seen a menacing yellow plume rising from one of the Portlands Energy Centre's smokestacks.

Joe Reid, an official with Ontario Power Generation, assured passers-by that the foul-looking emissions were part of a start-up test that only lasted about 20 minutes. He said the gas-fired power plant, which has been operating in a single-cycle mode, is preparing to operate in a more efficient combined-cycle mode early next year and was having one of its generators tested.

"The first 20 minutes or so will give you visual on nitrous oxide emissions which are the result of the low operating level required for the commissioning activity," he said. "Once we get past our initial start-up the yellow plume will go away."

Reid said it's similar to starting up a car in the morning and getting lots of smoke. "Over time it dissipates."

A single-cycle plant, which burns natural gas that turns a gas turbine, operates at 35 per cent efficiency. A combined-cycle plant captures waste heat from the first cycle to generate steam that turns a second turbine, allowing the facility to operate at 56 per cent efficiency - meaning 50 per cent more electricity will be generated by the same amount of natural gas.

In combined-cycle mode the plant can produce 550 megawatts of power, up from 250 megawatts in single-cycle mode.

Related News

Here are 3 ways to find out where your electricity comes from

US energy mix shows how the electric grid blends renewables, fossil fuels, nuclear, and hydro,…
View more

Government of Canada Invests in the Future of Work in Today's Rapidly Changing Electricity Sector

EHRC National Occupational Standards accelerate workforce readiness for smart grids, renewable energy, digitalization, and automation,…
View more

Stellat'en and Innergex Sign Wind Deal with BC Hydro

Nithi Mountain Wind Project delivers 200 MW of renewable wind power in British Columbia under…
View more

Cape Town to Build Own Power Plants, Buy Additional Electricity

Cape Town Renewable Energy Plan targets 450+ MW via solar, wind, and battery storage, cutting…
View more

Canada will need more electricity to hit net-zero: IEA report

Canada Clean Electricity Expansion is urged by the IEA to meet net-zero targets, scaling non-emitting…
View more

As Alberta electricity generators switch to gas, power price cap comes under spotlight

Alberta Energy-Only Electricity Market faces capacity market debate, AESO price cap review, and coal-to-gas shifts…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Live Online & In-person Group Training

Advantages To Instructor-Led Training – Instructor-Led Course, Customized Training, Multiple Locations, Economical, CEU Credits, Course Discounts.

Request For Quotation

Whether you would prefer Live Online or In-Person instruction, our electrical training courses can be tailored to meet your company's specific requirements and delivered to your employees in one location or at various locations.