The concept for NY is that they plan to buy power from Ontario Hydro and think the cost will not go up.. but as these Coal Fired units die or are forced off line, the crap is going to hit the fan. Stuart Station uses a technology that was introduced in the late 1950’s and 1960’s called Super Critical steam or Universal Pressure.
Stuart has Boilers designed by Babcock & Wilcox. Only about 120 of these units were ever built but they represent perhaps 20% - 25% of all of the generation in the United States. Unit 4 at Stuart Station is UP 106! This is what I mean. Unit 1 which blew up is UP 54, I believe. Unit 1 was built in 1965, Unit 4 - 1969. Most American coal fired generation is about this age or older.
***called Super Critical steam or Universal Pressure.***
Would that be called a “Once Through” boiler with no reheat system? Lots of pressure and heat in them. Way more than than a regular “two stage” high press-reheat type boiler.
That will probably work out as well as New England buying from Hydro Quebec, $.38 a Kwh. National average is $.09