Nuclear
Gentilly-2 generating station
Nuclear power plants generate steam through the fission of atoms; the steam then drives a turbine. These generating stations produce very few GHG emissions.
Hydro-Québec operates only one, Gentilly-2, in service since 1983. It is located near Trois-Rivières. With an installed capacity of 675 megawatts, it can meet the electricity needs of 270,000 residential customers. Operated continuously, Gentilly-2 is very efficient and it plays an important role within Hydro-Québec's generating fleet.
The fission of uranium 235 (A) atome releases heat that transform water into vapor. This pressurized vapor (B) turns the turbine (C) which turns the gennerator which generates the electricy current (D). The vapor condenses into wator and returns to the steam generator (E) where the cycle starts over.
The role of thermal generation at Hydro-Québec
Some thermal power stations operate continuously to meet baseload energy needs; for instance, diesel plants and Gentilly-2 nuclear power plant. Others, such as gas-fired facilities and the oil-fired conventional thermal generating station located near Sorel-Tracy, operate only when demand is high and hydroelectric facilities are working at maximum capacity.
