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Home > In Your Community > New Projects > Transmission System Projects
New Projects Transmission System Projects Frequently Asked Questions
What is the impact of doing nothing? Central Toronto supply requirements are significant and load forecasts from Toronto Hydro indicates continued growth. These transmission lines are required to help meet the increasing electrical supply requirements in the downtown area. The consequences of doing nothing include less reliable power supply to downtown Toronto and potentially emergency appeals for conservation during peak electrical consumption periods. This map recently published by the Independent Electricity System Operator, shows the key link that the John TS-Esplanade TS lines will provide to central Toronto:
Could this project be avoided by conservation measures? While conservation measures will help manage the supply requirements in downtown Toronto, conservation alone will not be sufficient, nor can these measures be implemented fast enough to provide the required amount of relief, in the timeframe required. What is being done about the need for new electrical supply in Ontario? The Province, through the Ministry of Energy, is addressing issues related to increasing Ontario's supply of electricity and enhancing conservation and demand management programs. Hydro One is aware of potential generation developments in the central Toronto area, and considers these possibilities in our system development plans. One project that will definitely improve the supply of electricity to downtown Toronto is the Portlands Energy Centre that is presently under construction on land that was once occupied by the coal pile of the Hearn Generating Station that went out of service in 1983. The need for Portlands is so great, that the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) has asked that it be ready to inject power into the Toronto power grid by June 1, 2007. The original plan to complete Portlands as just a combined cycle power plant (combustion turbine generators generate electricity, the hot gasses from the combustion turbine generators then create steam that spins a steam turbine generator that, in turn, generates more electricity) However, the combined cycle plant could not be completed in time to supply electricity by June 2007. To satisfy the OPA, Portlands has modified its construction schedule. It will now be ready to generate 340 megawatts (the output from its combustion turbine generators) from June 1 to September 30, 2008. It will then shut down to commission its steam turbine generator. It will then go back online as a 550 megawatt station. More information on the Portlands Energy Centre is available at http://www.portlandsenergycentre.com/ . How were the proposed routes selected? The proposed routes were selected based on:
The final route was selected based on the above and consultation with stakeholders and the public. What are Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF)? EMF are invisible fields found everywhere electricity is used, from toasters to computers to electric power facilities. Health agencies and independent scientific groups have studied potential health risks from EMF exposure for more than 30 years and research continues on a range of questions. To date, a health hazard has not been established. Health Canada has assessed these studies and concludes: "Typical exposures present no known health risks." Information is available in the EMF section of our website. How long will it take to construct this project? The project is on schedule to be in service in the spring of 2008. What has been the impact of tunnel construction? After consultations with the City, the Toronto Pubic Utilities Coordinating Committee and the public on ways minimize the effects on traffic, businesses and residents, Hydro One chose a deep tunnel as the preferred construction method. This allowed the cable to run way below existing infrastructure such as building foundations, the subway, and water, sewer, gas and electrical conduits. The deep tunnel option also radically reduced noise, dust, and disruption. During tunnelling there was increased traffic at the Esplanade Transformer Station as trucks arrived to carry away the rock and soil removed as the tunnel progressed. Traffic was also increased by vehicles delivering supplies and personal to the Esplanade station. During the tunnelling there were also small traffic diversions at points along the tunnel where ventilation and access shafts were drilled. After the tunnel was complete, the second phase of the project was to line its entire length with concrete. During this phase, a large amount of concrete was delivered increasing traffic in a manner similar to concrete deliveries at any large construction project. Hydro One is presently in consultations with its neighbours around the Esplanade TS to develop a cooperative landscape plan that will improve the stations overall appearance. Still have questions? We're updating our FAQ section regularly in response to your questions. If you'd like to submit a question, or would like to be notified when we've added new information to our site, please contact: Carrie-Lynn Ognibene
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