Whitecourt Power uses biomass combustion technology to convert the energy content in wood waste from Alberta’s forestry sector into electricity that powers our homes and businesses.
Wood waste is burned in a fluidized bed boiler to produce high-pressure steam. This steam is introduced into a steam turbine, where it flows over a series of aerodynamic turbine blades, causing the turbine to rotate. The turbine is connected to an electric generator. As the steam flow causes the turbine to rotate, the electric generator turns and electricity is produced.
Our advanced flue gas filtration system removes 99.9% of particulate from our facility’s emissions, thereby minimizing the smoke pollution that would otherwise result from the burning of wood in a beehive burner.
According to the Canadian Bioenergy Association, biomass is an important part of Canada’s energy mix, representing about 6% of the country’s energy supply. That makes biomass the second largest source of green energy in Canada after hydroelectricity. Approximately 7% of Alberta’s electricity is generated from renewable sources such as wind, hydro and biomass, making Whitecourt Power an important contributor to the province’s renewable energy mix.
