Bath power station

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Bath power station
Bath power station
CountryUnited Kingdom
LocationBath, Bath and North-East Somerset
Coordinates 51°22′40″N02°21′32″W / 51.37778°N 2.35889°W / 51.37778; -2.35889
StatusDecommissioned and demolished
Commission date 24 June 1890
Decommission datelate-1960s
Owner(s)Bath Electric Lighting and Engineering Company Limited
(1890–1897)
Bath Corporation
(1897–1948)
British Electricity Authority
(1948–1955)
Central Electricity Authority
(1955–1957)
Central Electricity Generating Board
(1958–1970)
Operator(s)As owners
Thermal power station
Primary fuelCoal
Secondary fuelFuel oil
Tertiary fuelDiesel
Cooling towersNone
Cooling sourceRiver water
Power generation
Units operational2 x 1.5 MW, 1 x 3 MW, 2 x 7 MW
Make and modelBrush-Ljungstrom
Nameplate capacity 16 MW
Annual net output 25.5 GWh (1955)
[ edit on Wikidata]

Bath power station supplied electricity to the City of Bath and the wider area from 1890. The station was originally built and operated by the City of Bath Electric Lighting and Engineering Company Limited. The power station was on a site in Dorchester Street adjacent to the Old Bridge over the River Avon. The City of Bath Corporation assumed ownership in 1897. The power station was redeveloped several times: including a major rebuilding with new equipment in the 1920s. The station was closed in the late 1960s and was subsequently demolished.

Contents

History

Bath City Council had applied in October 1882 for a provisional order under the Electric Lighting Act 1882 (45 & 46 Vict. c. 56) to supply electric lighting to the city. However, it rescinded the application in December 1882 having decided not to proceed with the scheme. [1] In 1889 the City of Bath Electric Lighting and Engineering Company Limited was founded to provide electric lighting. This included 81 public arc lights and private lighting. [1] The company built Bath power station (51°22'40"N 2°21'32"W) on Dorchester Street north east of the Old Bridge. [2] It first supplied electricity on 24 June 1890. [3]

In 1896 Bath Corporation applied for a Provisional Order under the Electric Lighting Acts to generate and supply electricity to the town. [3] This was granted by the Board of Trade and was confirmed by Parliament through the Electric Lighting Orders (No. 7) Act 1896 (59 & 60 Vict. c. clxxv). [4] The Bath Corporation acquired the company undertaking on 7 January 1897 at a price of £24,533. [1]

Equipment specification

The original plant at Bath power station comprised four Babcock and Wilcox boilers, eight vertical Brush compound engines coupled by ropes to Mordey dynamos; and ECC alternators driven by Polliitt and Wizzell engines. [3] In 1898 the generating capacity was 900 kW and the maximum load was 375 kW. There were about 14,000 lamps of 8 candle power. [3]

In 1911 the Corporation installed a Diesel engine and generator with an output of 450 kW. The cost off the generator and ancillaries was £7,500. [1]

First World War and post-war plant

Following the First World War new plant was installed to meet growing demand for electricity. By 1923 the plant comprised: [5]

These gave a total generating capacity of 1,200 kW of Direct Current, and 2,200 kW of Alternating Current. [5]

Electricity supplies were available to consumers as 220 and 440 Volts DC; single phase, 100 Hz AC at 110 Volts. [5]

New plant 1921–1930

New plant was commissioned in 1921–1930. [6]

The boilers had a total evaporative capacity of 200,000 lb/h (25.2 kg/s), and supplied steam to:

The completed total installed generating capacity was 20 MW, with an output capacity 16 MW. [6]

Condenser cooling water was drawn from the River Avon. [6]

Operations

In 1898 maximum electricity demand was 375 kW. [3]

In 1909 the City Council sought a variation to its Order of 1896 to extend the area of supply to include Bath Rural District, within 3 miles of the Guildhall. The order was confirmed in 1910, and sanctioned by Parliament by the Electric Lighting Order Confirmation (No.4) Act, 1910 (10 Edw. 7 & 1 Geo. 5 c. lxxviii). [1] [7]

In 1921 the City Council examined the possibility of using hydro power to generate electricity. The chairman of the electricity committee and the city engineer visited Chester where a scheme was in operation. However, it was decided not to proceed with such a scheme in Bath. [1]

Operating data 1921–23

The operating data for the period 1921–23 is shown in the table: [5]

Bath power station operating data 1921–23
Electricity UseUnitsYear
192119221923
Lighting and domestic useMWh8298731,070
Public lighting useMWh311391412
Power useMWh1,5361,4071,464
Total useMWh2,6762,6702,947
Load and connected load
Maximum loadkW1,7481,7541,910
Total connectionskW6,0566,3717,042
Load factorPer cent20.821.223.1
Financial
Revenue from sales of current£–45,72648,825
Surplus of revenue over expenses£–10,89826,445

Operating data 1946

Bath power station operating data, 1946. [8]

YearLoad factor per centMax output load MWElectricity supplied GWhThermal efficiency per cent
194616.816.323.72012.82

Under the terms of the Electricity (Supply) Act 1926 (16-17 Geo. 5 c. 51) [9] the Central Electricity Board (CEB) was established in 1926. [10] The CEB identified high efficiency ‘selected’ power station that would supply electricity most effectively; Bath was designated a selected station. The CEB also constructed the national grid (1927–33) to connect power stations within a region. The Bath undertaking was part of the South-West England and South Wales Electricity scheme. In the first quarter of 1935 the Corporation sold to the CEB over 6 MWh of electricity and purchased from the CEB over 11 MWh. [1] Over the period 1935 to 1948 the Corporation sold to the CEB an average of 28 GWh a year and purchased from the CEB an average of 103 GWh a year. [1]

Upon nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948 under the provisions of the Electricity Act 1947 (10-11 Geo. 6 c. 54) [11] the Bath electricity undertaking was abolished, ownership of Bath power station was vested in the British Electricity Authority, and subsequently the Central Electricity Authority and the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB). [10] At the same time the electricity distribution and sales responsibilities of the Bath electricity undertaking were transferred to the South Western Electricity Board (SWEB).

In 1948 the Bath Corporation had 23,108 consumers and supplied electricity to an area of 25.41 square miles (65.8 km2). [1]

Operating data 1954–63

Operating data for the period 1954–63 is shown in the table: [6] [12] [13]

Bath power station operating data, 1954–63
YearRunning hours (load factor per cent)Max output capacity MWElectricity supplied GWhThermal efficiency per cent
195430501625.16211.99
195533341625.49911.67
195631791624.82111.83
195730241620.97112.45
195824461615.42612.21
19591111168.66211.27
1961(4.4 %)166.1010.62
1962(3.1 %)164.36212.57
1963(7.54 %)1610.56412.17

In 1958 the Bath electricity district supplied an area of 214 square miles and a population of 148,800. The amount of electricity sold and the number and types of consumers was as follows: [6]

YearElectricity sold, GWhNo. of consumers
1955138.945,647
1956156.747,092
1957165.448,512
1958175.749,929

In 1958 the above totals were made up of the following: [6]

Type of ConsumerNo. of consumersElectricity sold, GWh
Residential43,00491.5
Shops, offices, etc.5,29830.2
Factories65646.5
Farms9505.9
Public lighting211.6
Total175.7175.7

Closure

Bath power station was decommissioned in the late 1960s. [14] The buildings subsequently demolished and the area has been redeveloped.

See also

Related Research Articles

The Lancaster power stations provided electricity to the Lancashire town and city of Lancaster and the surrounding area from 1894 to 1976. The first power station was built and operated by Lancaster Corporation and started generating electricity in April 1894. The second power station was built during the First World War near the Lune Aqueduct to provide electric power for a munitions factory. When the factory closed after the war the power station was purchased by the corporation to provide electric power throughout its supply area.

Portsmouth power station supplied electricity to Portsmouth and the surrounding area from 1894 to until 1977. The power station was built and operated by Portsmouth Corporation and started supplying electricity on 6 June 1894. It was located in St Mary Street and was redeveloped several times: including major rebuilds in 1927–29 and in 1938–1952, and expanded into a larger plot. The power station was closed in 1977; the two chimneys were demolished in 1981 and the main buildings in 1982.

Sculcoates power station supplied electricity to Kingston upon Hull and the wider East Yorkshire area from 1898. An earlier 1893 station in Dagger Lane had operated public lighting in Hull Old Town. Sculcoates power station was built and operated by Kingston upon Hull Corporation on a site in Sculcoates Lane adjacent to the Beverley and Barmston Drain. The power station was increased in size as demand for electricity grew, it was redeveloped several times: including major rebuilds in 1927–29 and in 1938–1952. The power station was closed in 1976 and was subsequently demolished.

Huddersfield power station supplied electricity to the town of Huddersfield and the wider area from 1893 to 1981. It was owned and operated by Huddersfield Corporation until the nationalisation of the electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped several times: including the incorporation of new plant in the 1910s, and in the 1930s to 1950s. The station was decommissioned in October 1981.

Burton upon Trent power station supplied electricity to the town of Burton upon Trent and the wider area from 1894 to 1976. It was owned and operated by Burton upon Trent Corporation until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped several times: including the incorporation of new plant in the 1910s, in 1924–28 and 1941–43. The station was decommissioned in October 1976.

Barrow-in-Furness power station supplied electricity to the town of Barrow-in-Furness and the wider area of Lancashire, England from 1899 to about 1960. It was owned and operated by Barrow-in-Furness Corporation until the nationalisation of the UK electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped throughout its operational life. Barrow-in-Furness Corporation also operated Coniston hydro-electric power station.

Canterbury power station supplied electricity to the city of Canterbury, Kent, England from 1900 to 1960. This small generating station was owned and operated by Canterbury Corporation until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped several times: including the incorporation of new plant in the 1920s. Canterbury power station was decommissioned in about 1960.

Halifax power station supplied electricity to the town of Halifax and the wider area from 1894 to the 1960s. It was owned and operated by Halifax Corporation until the nationalisation of the electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped several times and at its peak had a generating capacity of 48 MW.

Reading power station, Berkshire, England supplied electricity to the town of Reading and the surrounding area from 1895 to the 1960s. It was initially owned and operated by the Reading Electric Supply Company Limited, then from 1933 by the Reading Corporation until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped several times with new equipment replacing retired plant. The station was decommissioned in the late 1960s.

Fleetwood power stations were two generating stations that supplied electricity to the town of Fleetwood, England and the surrounding area from 1900 to 1981. The first station was owned by the Fleetwood and District Electric Light and Power Syndicate and later by Fleetwood Urban District Council. The second station was owned and operated by the state following the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948; this power station was decommissioned in October 1981.

Wallasey power station supplied electricity to the town of Wallasey and the surrounding area from 1897. It was owned and operated by Wallasey Corporation until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped several times: including the incorporation of new plant in the 1920s and 1950. The station was decommissioned in the late 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salisbury power station</span>

Salisbury power station supplied electricity to the English city of Salisbury and the surrounding area from 1898 to c. 1970. It was owned and operated by Salisbury Electric Light and Supply Company Limited prior to the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped several times to incorporate new plant to replace retired equipment. The facilities included a water driven turbine.

Stafford power station supplied electricity to the town of Stafford, England and the surrounding area from 1895 to 1958. It was initially owned and operated by Stafford Corporation, then by the North West Midlands Joint Electricity Authority prior to the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped in the 1920s, but after 1935 it was a standby plant used at times of peak demand. Stafford power station was decommissioned in 1958.

Grimsby power station supplied electricity to the town of Grimsby, England and the surrounded area from 1901 to the late 1960s. It was owned and operated by Grimsby Corporation prior to the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped in the 1920s and 1930s to meet the increased demand for electricity.

Nelson power station supplied electricity to the town of Nelson, Lancashire and the surrounding area from 1892 to 1960. The power station was owned and operated by Nelson Corporation prior to the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. It was redeveloped in 1922 to 1925 to meet the increased demand for electricity.

Warrington power station supplied electricity to the town of Warrington, Lancashire and the surrounding area from about 1900 to 1979. The power station was initially developed by the Warrington and District Electric Light and Power Company Limited, this was taken over by Warrington Corporation, which operated the power station prior to the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. It was redeveloped several times to meet the increased demand for electricity.

Folkestone power station supplied electricity to the Borough of Folkestone and the surrounding area from 1898 to 1960. The power station was built by the Folkestone Electricity Supply Company Limited which operated it until the nationalisation of the British electricity industry in 1948. It was redeveloped in the 1920s to meet the increased demand for electricity.

Southport power station supplied electricity to the town of Southport and the surrounding area from 1894 to the late 1960s. The power station was built by the Southport Corporation which operated it up to the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. Birkdale power station was operated by the Birkdale District Electric Supply Company Limited and originally supplied Birkdale Urban District until the district was incorporated into the Borough of Southport in 1911.

Luton power station supplied electricity to the Borough of Luton and the surrounding area from 1901 to 1969. The power station was operated by the Luton Corporation until the nationalisation of the British electricity industry in 1948. It was redeveloped after the First World War to meet the increased demand for electricity.

Tunbridge Wells power station supplied electricity to the town of Royal Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding area from 1895 to 1968. The power station was built by the Tunbridge Wells Corporation which operated it until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Eyles, William E. (1974). "Electricity in Bath 1890-1974" (PDF). Histeleec News. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  2. ↑ "The Old Bridge Bath with Electricity House and power station in the background c.1960s". Bath in time. 1960s. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Garcke, Emile, ed. (1898). Manual of Electrical Undertakings vol.3. London: P. S. King and Son. pp. 98–99.
  4. ↑ "Electric Lighting Orders (No 7) Act 1896". Legislation.gov.uk. 1896. Archived from the original on 3 February 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Electricity Commissioners (1925). Electricity Supply - 1920-23. London: HMSO. pp. 6–9, 254–259.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Garrett, Frederick C., ed. (1959). Garcke's Manual of Electricity Supply vol. 56. London: Electrical Press. pp. A-31, A-113, B-130.
  7. ↑ "Electric Lighting Order Confirmation (No 7) Act 1910". Legislation.gov.uk. 1910. Archived from the original on 3 February 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  8. ↑ Electricity Commission (1947). Generation of Electricity in Great Britain. London: HMSO. p. 6.
  9. ↑ "Electricity (Supply) Act 1926". Legislation.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 7 October 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  10. 1 2 Electricity Council (1987). Electricity Supply in the United Kingdom: a Chronology. London: Electricity Council. pp. 45, 60, 69, 73. ISBN   085188105X.
  11. ↑ "Electricity Act 1947". Legislation.gov.uk. 1947. Archived from the original on 13 October 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  12. ↑ CEGB, Annual Report 1961, 1962, 1963, London: CEGB
  13. ↑ Garrett, Frederick C., ed. (1960). Garcke's Manual of Electricity Supply vol. 56. London: Electrical Press. pp. A-108.
  14. ↑ Bath does not appear in the CEGB Statistical Yearbook 1972
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