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Longannet Power Station / Longannet Environmental Management

Emissions and Waste Management

All four units at Longannet are fitted with Low NO_x Burners to reduce emissions of oxides of nitrogen. Emissions of NO_x are being further reduced by introducing a technique called Boosted Overfire Air (BOFA).

We are also investigating advanced Selective Catalytic Reduction technology, which on top of Low NOx burners and BOFA, could reduce NO_x emissions by up to 70%.

We are in the process of fitting Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) technology to cut SO₂ emissions by over 90%. The technique uses seawater, rather than limestone, so no gypsum is produced.

ScottishPower is bidding to secure Government part-funding of a project to build a carbon capture and storage demonstration project at Longannet. This would involve capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the power station, liquefying it and transporting it by pipeline for long-term storage in rock formations under the sea.

For further information on these techniques, please see our Environmental Technologies section.

Minimisation, management, segregation and recycling systems are in place for most other wastes generated at the station, from oil, metal and wood, to paper.

Biodiversity

Longannet has in place a Biodiversity Action Plan which covers the power station as well as the ash lagoons at Longannet and Valleyfield. The site is adjacent to the inner Forth Estuary, which is recognised for its importance to wildlife, especially birds.

The area is covered by several natural heritage designations and is managed by a Countryside Ranger, jointly funded by ScottishPower and Fife Council.

Species found on the site include nationally important numbers of wading birds, such as Redshank, Curlew and Knot, Ringed Plover, Grey Partridge, Lapwing and Song Thrush, along with small mammals, such as Brown Hare and invertebrates such as bumble bees, dragonflies and hoverflies.

Performance - 2008

• Installation of Flue Gas Desulphurisation project neared completion ready for commissioning in 2009
• A new turbine rotor was fitted to Unit 3 with special blades to make better use of steam, generating more electricity from less coal
• New mechanical seals were fitted to the cooling water pumps to reduce the risk of oil leaks and to make better use of seawater, saving large quantities of townswater
• Improved waste segregation throughout the site to maximise the amount recycled
• BOFA installed on Units 1, 2 and 3

Electricity generated was less than 2007 due to the station’s units being taken out of service to carry out major works, such as the Flue Gas Desulpurisation project.

Emissions figures for 2008 were based on continuous emissions monitoring using instrumentation that is independently certified. Previously emissions figures reported were based on calculations using agreed site specific factors.