Open house on proposal set for Oct. 28
Oct 15, 2008 - 03:16 PM
By Keith Gilligan
AJAX -- An open house is being held later this month on the redevelopment of the Ajax Steam Plant.
Index Energy has filed a plan with the Town that would see the facility undergo an extensive renovation, turning it into a 'combined heat and power' plant. It would be capable of producing 25 megawatts of electricity that would be available to the provincial grid, while also continuing to provide steam heat to surrounding businesses.
The work carries a $50-million price tag.
The plan for the facility would see it continue to burn wood waste products. However, the wood would be chipped at another site before being used at the Ajax plant. Currently, wood is dumped outside the facility and a grapple system is used to move it into the plant. The wood that's now dumped outside is visible to passersby.
A building canopy would be constructed to cover the wood chips.
The plant was built in 1941 to provide electricity and steam for Defence Industries Limited, the munitions factory constructed shortly after the Second World War began. At that time, coal was used to fire the plant.
"This plan would occur over, I'd say, a couple of years. They want to take out the old combustors and put in new ones," said Gary Muller, the Town's planning manager.
To do some of the work, Index wants to be allowed to install two new combustors, work which would involve removing part of the west wall and sliding in the combustors, Mr. Muller said.
"We're amenable to it, provided they remove the ash on site. They have been removing the ash. There's ongoing discussions," Mr. Muller said.
By having the wood in the form of chips and stored indoors, "it will burn more efficiently at a higher temperature," he said.
There will also be new emission controls which would eliminate particulate from getting out, he said.
"There are no controls currently and ash is coming out of the plant," he said. "When it's done, there will be two levels of control."
At one time, bunker oil was used to help start the burning process, but it isn't being used now, he said.
The new facility will have a "natural gas back-up," he said. "A lot of the inefficiencies will be removed as part of this proposal."
In a written report to council's general government committee, Mr. Muller said the improvements "address the obsolescence of the facility.
"Although the steam plant continues to provide steam to local area industries, the current appearance and function of the existing site and operation continues to be a blemish to the area that is in urgent need of improvement," Mr. Muller said.
With the new facility, about 800 tonnes of wood would be used each day, an increase from the current 560 tonnes a day.
The existing 45-metre smoke stack would be removed and replaced with a new one of about the same height, which will have emission control measures.
The open house is set for Tuesday, Oct. 28, starting at 7 p.m. at the Ajax Town Hall at the corner of Harwood Avenue and Kings Crescent.
For more information, call Town planner Bruno Scopacasa at 905-619-2529, ext. 204, or e-mail him at bruno.scopacasa@townofajax.com.
Recommend :
Latest News
Man charged in attack on couple back in court Jan. 22OSHAWA -- The case of a man accused of assaulting two women outside an Oshawa elementary school is due back in court later this month. A judicial pretrial session is set Jan...
Hells Angels trial winding downOSHAWA -- Jurors are expected to begin deliberations next week in the case of two Hells Angels accused of conspiring to murder an underworld rival. The trial of Remond Akleh...
Dances to aid Ajax legion, charitiesAJAX -- Canadian troops serving overseas and the Ajax Legion will benefit from an upcoming dance. The Over 30 Dance and Social Club is hosting the event on Friday, Jan. 23...
Carjackings linked, cops sayPICKERING -- Police are exploring the possibility that two recent carjackings were carried out by the same suspects. Durham cops are seeking the public's assistance as they...
Ajax snowplow, car tangleAJAX -- There was minor damage when a car and a Town snowplow bumped against each other Wednesday morning. The incident happened at about 7 a.m. when the plow turned south...
Gun pointed at woman's head in robberyAJAX -- Two teenaged suspects are being sought by police investigating a street level robbery in Ajax in which a woman had a gun held to her head. The 26-year-old victim told...
Residents oppose north Ajax highriseAJAX -- A developer's plan for a 15-storey condominium was received with less-than open arms during an information session on Tuesday. Dunbury Developments is proposing the...
Company hired to help restore St. FrancisAJAX -- A company has been hired to do interior restoration work on the former St. Francis de Sales Church. Rutherford Contracting will be paid almost $104,000 to do the first...
More snow, freezing rain on the wayOSHAWA - Residents should keep shovels handy and snow-blowers tuned up as this latest blast of wintery weather is expected to continue throughout today into the early evening...
Woman forced into van, sexually assaultedOSHAWA -- A woman was sexually assaulted by a man who forced her into his van last Friday in Oshawa. Durham police are seeking assistance in identifying the man, who...