Taken from our internal works website........
Ironbridge goes greener
We’re set to transform our Ironbridge coal fired power station following a decision to trial it as a renewable fuelled plant until 2015. The conversion means the plant will use wood pellets to generate renewable electricity with the ability to co-fire with coal. This will provide cleaner electricity for our customers and aligns perfectly with our cleaner & better energy strategy.
For 42 years, Ironbridge power station, with its iconic pink cooling towers has been producing enough electricity to supply around 750,000 homes. However, the station is due to close by 2015 as it doesn’t meet with the European Large Combustion Plant Directive (LCPD) which aims to reduce emissions to air from combustion plants, such as power stations.
As we focus on lower carbon generation we’re investing in new renewable plant but it’s also important that we look at maximising the benefit from our existing assets to help us meet the Government’s CO2 reduction targets. EC&R, ENT and the Generation business have been working together looking at the feasibility of converting Ironbridge to burn wood pellets from sustainable forestry sources. It’s ground breaking work for both these businesses as it will be the first conversion of one of our UK coals plant to run on wood pellets and allows us to test the ability of an older plant to operate on renewable fuels. It also enables us to develop and test the sustainability of a potentially significant new renewable fuel supply chain into the UK, establishing supply routes and infrastructure for longer term projects.
The conversion will be relatively quick, making use of existing plant and processes wherever possible.
By fully converting the plant to run on wood pellet fuel instead of coal, carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by nearly 80%, equating to about 9.4 million tonnes over the remaining life of the plant.
The conversion work is due to start in early 2012 and aims to be operational by early 2013. The trial is due to finish no later than 2015 when the station will have to close under the LCPD.
Another PS to bite the dust
