Michell Bearings is to provide three sets of PTFE thrust pads for the Sir Adam Beck I hydropower station after securing an from Andritz Hydro Canada.

The new thrust pads will replace the current Babbitt solution within two historic turbine generator units at the Ontario Power Generation (OPG) owned project, which is undergoing a progressive upgrade programme.

“Nearly 100 years ago, the Sir Adam Beck I station in Niagara Falls helped set the standard for 25 Hz frequency, which became the norm across North America, but there is no longer a demand for the 25 Hz power cycle, so it’s time to overhaul and upgrade these two units,” said Dave Bonell, OPG’s Senior Manager Renewable Generation Projects. “The new generator units will be lighter and more efficient, and able to make more energy with less water required to pass through the turbine.”

Due to COVID travel restrictions, an external inspection on the pads was carried out remotely last year with an in person visit scheduled this year.