Robert-Bourassa Generating Station

Robert-Bourassa generating station is located in Baie-James, Quebec, Canada. With an installed capacity of 5,616 MW, the power station is the largest hydroelectric power station in Canada.

Formerly known as La Grande-2, it is a hydroelectric power station La Grande River is part of Quebec Hydro’s James Bay project in Canada. Its 16 units were gradually put into use between 1979 and 1981.

The Robert-Bourassa generating station itself is located 137.2 meters (450 feet) underground, 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) downstream of the dam. It accommodates 16 Francis turbines, divided into two groups, each with 8 units.

It total cost abuot C$3.8 billion ( about US $3 billion ) in 1970s.

Overview of Robert-Bourassa generating station
Overview of Robert-Bourassa generating station

Building

The main dam is located in the transition zone between the plateau and the coastal plain, 117.5 kilometers (73.0 miles) from the mouth of the river, and has a maximum height of 162 meters (531 feet).

The power station itself is located 137.2 meters (450 feet) underground, 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) downstream of the dam.

It accommodates 16 Francis turbines, divided into two groups, each with eight units. With an installed capacity of 5,616 megawatts, it is the largest power station owned by Quebec Hydropower.

Inside the underground power plant
Inside the underground power plant

Dams and embankments

Robert-Bourassa Dam is 117.5 kilometers (73.0 miles) from the mouth of the La Grande River and is located in the transition zone between the Laurentian Plateau (elevated Canadian shield) and the coastal plain.

It has a maximum height of 162 meters (531 feet) and a length of 2,836 meters (9,304 feet) at the crest.

In order to maintain the reservoir at its working height of 175.3 meters (575 feet), 29 dams were enclosed around the reservoir at various locations.

Robert-Bourassa generating station
Robert-Bourassa generating station

Reservoir

The Robert-Bourassa Reservoir covers 32,480 square kilometers (12,540 square miles). Of the total capacity of 61.4 cubic kilometers (49,800,000 acre-feet), approximately 19.365 cubic kilometers (15,699,000 acre-feet) are active or available for power generation. Due to its huge scale, it inhabits various aquatic animals and plants.

Spillway

The spillway is near the northern end of the main dam and is part of the D-4 embankment. It consists of a concrete control structure and an artificial waterfall, which drains into a static pool below the dam.

The spillway has eight 12.2 meters (40 feet) wide gates separated by 4.3 meters (14 feet) thick columns. The gate is opened and closed by a winch to control leakage.

Spillway gate
Spillway gate

Robert-Bourassa Generating Station Data

Country
Canada
Region
North America
Status
In use
Official name
Centrale Robert-Bourassa
Other name(s)
La Grande-2
Location
Baie-James, Quebec, Canada
Owner(s)
Hydro-Québec
Cost
C$3.8 billion ( about US $3 billion )
Began
1974
Opened
1981
Building height
531 ft (162 m )
Total Length
9301 ft (2835 m )
Surface elevation
175 m (574 ft)
Type of dam
Embankment dam
Spillway capacity
17,600 m³/s (621,538 cu ft/s)
Installed capacity
5616
Turbines
16 × 351 MW Francis turbines
River
La Grande River
Reservoi name
Robert-Bourassa Reservoir
Total capacity
61.7 km³ (50,000,000 acre⋅ft)
Reservoir area
2,835 km² (1,095 sq mi)
Maximum water depth
137 m (449 ft)

Robert-Bourassa Generating Station Location On Earth

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REVIEW OVERVIEW
Scale ( only within the industry of this building / engineering )
7
Technology ( only within the industry of this building / engineering )
7.4
Cost ( only within the industry of this building / engineering )
6.8
Era-1974 ( The earlier the era, the higher the score,respect the older generation of engineering )
8

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