How a thermal power station works
In a thermal power station, fuel (coal or natural gas) is burned in a boiler to convert water to steam.
The high-pressure steam is directed into a turbine, which turns the turbine shaft. This shaft, connected to an electrical generator, produces electricity as it turns.
A condenser converts the spent steam from the turbine back to water that is reused in the boiler. The condenser cooling water comes from the reservoir and is returned for reuse.
Boundary Dam Power Station
Fast facts
- Coal-fired station located near Estevan, Saskatchewan
- Six units in total with a combined generating capacity of 824-net megawatts (MW)
- The first two units (with Unit one having 62 and Unit two having 61 net MW) were commissioned in 1959
- The next two units (with a combined generating capacity of 278-net MW) were added in 1970
- The following unit (with a generating capacity of 139-net MW) was added in 1973
- The final unit (with a generating capacity of 284-net MW) was added in 1978
- A long-term project to install electrostatic precipitators on all units—to reduce air particulate emissions—was completed in July 2003
Book a tour
Call Estevan Tourism at 306-634-6044 or call Boundary Dam directly at 306-634-1300. Please allow us two to three days' advance notice for your requested tour date.
Poplar River Power Station
Fast facts
- Coal-fired station located near Coronach, Saskatchewan
- Two units with a combined generating capacity of 582-net megawatts (MW)
- The first unit (with a generating capacity of 291-net MW) was commissioned in 1981
- The second unit (with a generating capacity of 291-net MW) was commissioned in 1983
Emission control research facility
- The Poplar River Power Station is home to SaskPower's Emissions Control Research Facility (ECRF)
- The ECRF evaluates various technologies for controlling emissions (such as mercury) to determine how the process will perform when fully installed at a power station. In the future, the ECRF will also evaluate processes to reduce other emissions.
- The ECRF is the only facility of its kind in Canada where a continuous sample of real flue gas can be taken from a power station and tested. The only other option is to conduct tests in a pilot plant facility with a burner that could simulate a coal-fired boiler.
- The key to the success of the ECRF has been a strong team of various partners—including the federal government, both Saskatchewan universities, the Saskatchewan Research Council, private business, and the U.S. electrical utilities and organizations—whose involvement ensured the work performed meets the needs of numerous utilities across Canada and North Dakota.
- In January of 2009, we received a national environmental stewardship award, presented by the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) as part of the CEA's Environmental Commitment and Responsibility program.
Book a tour
Tours take place at 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. from March through December. Call 306-267-2078 and allow us one day's advance notice for your requested tour date. Tours cover the power station and local coal mine.
Shand Power Station
Fast facts
- Coal-fired station located near Estevan, Saskatchewan
- One unit with a generating capacity of 276-net megawatts (MW) commissioned in 1992
- 1993, received a Power Plant Award from Power Magazine in recognition of Shand's advanced environmental design
Advanced environmental design
- The LIFAC (Limestone Injection into the Furnace and re-Activation of Calcium) system, which uses powdered limestone (sorbent) and water to remove sulphur dioxide emissions
- The finely-tuned burner temperature and air quantity reduces nitrogen oxide formations by up to 50 per cent. Nitrogen oxide contributes to acid rain and smog
- A closed-loop, zero-discharge water management system ensures the water used will not be discharged into the environment, except through evaporation
- A high-efficiency electro-static precipitator (ESP), which acts as a giant dust collector to trap over 99 per cent of the fly ash before it leaves the power station's stack
- A state-of-the-art computer control system that ensures the station runs as efficiently as possible
Book a tour
Call Estevan Tourism at 306-634-6044 or call Shand directly at 306-634-1700. Please allow us one week's advance notice for your requested tour date.
