Essar Steel Algoma confirmed today they have successfully started up a new, 70 MW Cogeneration Facility.

Essar Steel Algoma confirmed today they have successfully started up a new, 70 MW Cogeneration Facility. A final performance test on Saturday, June 13th confirmed the facility meets all necessary operating standards as required by the Ontario Power Authority.

Essar Steel Algoma’s Chief Executive Officer Armando Palatino remarked, “The facility is operating exceptionally well, exceeding our initial expectations. This project satisfies both economic and environmental objectives, culminating a sustainable, highly efficient, clean energy solution. We greatly appreciate the support of the Ontario Power Authority; without them this project would not have been possible.”

In October, 2006 in response to a request for proposals for combined heat power generation, Algoma Energy LP entered into an agreement with the Ontario Power Authority to construct and operate a 70 MW cogeneration facility.

The facility reduces Essar Steel Algoma’s reliance on the provincial power grid by 50% on average, freeing up this capacity for the rest of the province. By employing low-NOx burner technology and by eliminating the need to flare by-product fuel, the cogeneration facility will reduce Essar Steel Algoma’s nitrous oxide emissions by 15% (approximately 400 metric tonnes per year.)

Essar has set a precedent as the first integrated steel manufacturer in Canada to construct a cogeneration facility fueled with by-product gas from the operation. The facility converts by-product fuels from the coke making and iron making processes into electricity and steam for the steelworks.

It features two 375,000 lb/hr boilers and a 105MW turbine combined with other related components such as a generator, 750,000ft3 Dry Seal Type Blast Furnace Gasholder designed by Lazarus & Associates Ltd from the UK, condensate and feed-water systems, a water treatment plant, a cooling tower, a transformer and a distributed control system.

An official launch celebration is planned for later this summer.