posted 09-15-2005 12:16 PM                       

Robert Moses Generating Station, Niagara Falls NY

http://www.nypa.gov/facilities/niagara.htm

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When the Niagara project produced its first power in 1961, it was the largest hydropower facility in the Western world at the time. Today, Niagara is the biggest electricity producer in New York State, generating 2.4 million kilowatts—enough power to light 24 million 100-watt bulbs at once! This low-cost electricity saves the state's residents and businesses hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

In 1991, the Power Authority began a $300-million upgrade and modernization at the project’s Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant. All 13 turbines are being replaced and other improvements are being made to generating equipment in the power dam, with completion scheduled for 2006.

Here's how it works:
The Niagara project, located about 4 1/2 miles downstream from the Falls, consists of two main facilities: the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant, with 13 turbines, and the Lewiston Pump-Generating Plant, with 12 pump-turbines. In between the two plants is a forebay capable of holding 164 billion gallons of water; behind the Lewiston plant, a 1,900-acre reservoir holds additional supplies of this liquid fuel.

Put very simply, we divert water from the Niagara River—up to 375,000 gallons a second—and convey it through conduits under the City of Niagara Falls to Lewiston. From there, water flowing through the Robert Moses plant spins turbines that power generators, converting this mechanical energy into electrical energy.

At night, when electricity demand is low, the Lewiston units operate as pumps, transporting water from the forebay up to the plant's reservoir.

During the daytime, when electricity use peaks, the Lewiston pumps are reversed and become generators, similar to those at the Moses plant. In this way, the water can be used to produce electricity twice, increasing production and efficiency.

To balance the need for power with a desire to preserve the beauty of Niagara Falls, the United States and Canada signed a treaty in 1950 that regulates the amount of water diverted for hydroelectricity production. On average, more than 200,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), or 1.5 million gallons of water a second, flow from Lake Erie into the Niagara River. The 1950 pact requires that at least 100,000 cfs of water spill over the Falls during the daylight hours in the tourist season, April through October. This flow may be cut in half at night during this period and at all times the rest of the year.

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quote:

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In order to preserve the scenic beauty of the Falls, the Niagara River Water Diversion Treaty of 1950 stipulated that no water diversions for power generation would be allowed that would reduce the flow of water over Niagara Falls as follows:


no less than 100,000 cubic feet of water per second (cf/s) From April 1st to September 15th (inclusive) between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.

no less than 100,000 cubic feet of water per second (cf/s) from September 16th to October 31st (inclusive) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

no less than 50,000 cubic feet of water per second (cf/s) from November 1st to March 31st (inclusive)

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posted 09-15-2005 03:09 PM                       

quote: filler

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This flow may be cut in half at night during this period and at all times the rest of the year.

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People always think I'm crazy when I tell them you can hear them turn the falls off at 8 or 10pm.

I passed this prop blade (which was doing 100 km/h) going north bound on the 400, heading home from a theatre, at 6:48am on Sept 2:

quote: Edwin Schwing

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They also employ alot of people in my hometown. (population 693)

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A nuclear power generating facility could employ everyone in town!