Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations
Encyclopedia
Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations are two hydroelectric power stations in Niagara Falls, Ontario
, Canada
. The stations divert water from the Niagara and Welland Rivers above the falls which is then released into the lower portion of the river, and together produce up to 1,926 MW.
Adam Beck I contains 10 generators and first produced power in 1922. It was originally called the Queenston Chippawa power station and was renamed after Adam Beck
in 1950 on the twenty fifth anniversary of his death. The water is diverted through the Chippawa-Queenston Power Canal canal from the Welland River
.
Adam Beck II contains 16 generators and first produced power in 1954. The water is diverted from the Niagara River
above the falls through underground pipes. A reservoir was created that permits the holding of water, diverted during the night, for use during the day. Adam Beck II is currently undergoing major modification in the form of the Niagara Tunnel Project
in order to improve its generation output. This new tunnel is expected to be in operation by late 2013.
The Northeast Blackout of 1965
was caused by a tripping transmission line from Adam Beck II.
to the stations. Upstream of the International Control Dam are two tunnel inlets which run under Niagara Falls, Ontario and surface 2km upstream of the Sir Adam Beck Generating Stations. The open cut canal and the tunnel canal cross at the "Cross Over" where there is a third channel feeding the 174 MW Pump Generating Station 43°08′40"N 79°03′36"W which pumps the water up into the man-made reservoir at night and generates during the day, feeding the water back to the Sir Adam Beck Generating Complex.
The International Control Dam, operated by Ontario Power Generation
, controls the water diversions from the Niagara River and dispatches the water between the New York Power Authority and Ontario Power Generation in accordance with the terms of the 1950 Niagara Treaty. This treaty, designed to ensure an "unbroken curtain of water" is flowing over the falls, states that during daylight time during the tourist season (April 1st to October 31st) there must be 100000 cuft/s of water flowing over the falls, and during the night and off-tourist season there must be 50000 cuft/s of water flowing over the falls. This Treaty is monitored by the International Niagara Control Board.
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls is a Canadian city on the Niagara River in the Golden Horseshoe region of Southern Ontario. The municipality was incorporated on June 12, 1903...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The stations divert water from the Niagara and Welland Rivers above the falls which is then released into the lower portion of the river, and together produce up to 1,926 MW.
Adam Beck I contains 10 generators and first produced power in 1922. It was originally called the Queenston Chippawa power station and was renamed after Adam Beck
Adam Beck
Sir Adam Beck was a politician and hydroelectricity advocate who founded the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario.-Biography:...
in 1950 on the twenty fifth anniversary of his death. The water is diverted through the Chippawa-Queenston Power Canal canal from the Welland River
Welland River
The Welland River is a river in the Niagara Region of southern Ontario which flows from its headwaters south of Hamilton, Ontario to empty into the Niagara River near the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario. It drains an area of 880 km²....
.
Adam Beck II contains 16 generators and first produced power in 1954. The water is diverted from the Niagara River
Niagara River
The Niagara River flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. It forms part of the border between the Province of Ontario in Canada and New York State in the United States. There are differing theories as to the origin of the name of the river...
above the falls through underground pipes. A reservoir was created that permits the holding of water, diverted during the night, for use during the day. Adam Beck II is currently undergoing major modification in the form of the Niagara Tunnel Project
Niagara Tunnel Project
The Niagara Tunnel Project is the most recent in a series of additions to the Sir Adam Beck hydroelectric generation complex in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.-Background:...
in order to improve its generation output. This new tunnel is expected to be in operation by late 2013.
The Northeast Blackout of 1965
Northeast Blackout of 1965
The Northeast blackout of 1965 was a significant disruption in the supply of electricity on November 9, 1965, affecting Ontario, Canada and Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New York, and New Jersey in the United States...
was caused by a tripping transmission line from Adam Beck II.
Water diversion
The open cut Chippawa-Queenston Power Canal diverts water from the Welland RiverWelland River
The Welland River is a river in the Niagara Region of southern Ontario which flows from its headwaters south of Hamilton, Ontario to empty into the Niagara River near the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario. It drains an area of 880 km²....
to the stations. Upstream of the International Control Dam are two tunnel inlets which run under Niagara Falls, Ontario and surface 2km upstream of the Sir Adam Beck Generating Stations. The open cut canal and the tunnel canal cross at the "Cross Over" where there is a third channel feeding the 174 MW Pump Generating Station 43°08′40"N 79°03′36"W which pumps the water up into the man-made reservoir at night and generates during the day, feeding the water back to the Sir Adam Beck Generating Complex.
The International Control Dam, operated by Ontario Power Generation
Ontario Power Generation
Ontario Power Generation is a public company wholly owned by the Government of Ontario. OPG is responsible for approximately 70% of the electricity generation in the Province of Ontario, Canada. Sources of electricity include nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, wind, and fossil fuel...
, controls the water diversions from the Niagara River and dispatches the water between the New York Power Authority and Ontario Power Generation in accordance with the terms of the 1950 Niagara Treaty. This treaty, designed to ensure an "unbroken curtain of water" is flowing over the falls, states that during daylight time during the tourist season (April 1st to October 31st) there must be 100000 cuft/s of water flowing over the falls, and during the night and off-tourist season there must be 50000 cuft/s of water flowing over the falls. This Treaty is monitored by the International Niagara Control Board.
External links
- Images of Sir Adam Beck 1 Power Plant Niagara Falls Public Library (Ont.)
- Images of Sir Adam Beck 2 Power Plant Niagara Falls Public Library (Ont.)
- Images of the Queenston-Chippawa Power Canal Niagara Falls Public Library (Ont.)