Coventry power stations

Last updated
Coventry power stations
Coventry power stations
CountryEngland
LocationCoventry
Coordinates 52°27′23″N01°28′03″W / 52.45639°N 1.46750°W / 52.45639; -1.46750
StatusDecommissioned
Construction began1893, 1926
Commission date 1895, 1928
Decommission date1976
Owner(s)Coventry Corporation
(1895–1948)
British Electricity Authority
(1948–1955)
Central Electricity Authority
(1955–1957)
Central Electricity Generating Board
(1958–1976)
Operator(s)As owner
Thermal power station
Primary fuelCoal
Turbine technologySteam turbines
Cooling towers7
Cooling sourceCirculating cooling water and cooling towers
Power generation
Units operationalsee text
Nameplate capacity 130.75 MW
Annual net output 279n GWh (1946)
[ edit on Wikidata]

The two Coventry power stations supplied electricity to the county borough of Coventry and the wider Warwickshire area from 1895 to 1976. They were owned and operated by Coventry Corporation until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The first power station was established in 1895 off Sandy Lane north of the city centre. A new larger power station was built at Longford / Hawksbury Junction in 1928 and was extended in 1938 and 1941. The Longford station was decommissioned in October 1976.

Contents

History

Coventry power stations
[fullscreen map]

In 1891 Coventry Corporation applied for a provisional order under the Electric Lighting Acts to generate and supply electricity to the borough of Coventry. This was granted by the Board of Trade and was confirmed by Parliament through the Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 4) Act 1891 ( 54 & 55 Vict. c. lii). [1] The power station was built in Sandy Lane adjacent to the Coventry Canal ( 52°25′04″N1°30′43″W / 52.41778°N 1.51194°W / 52.41778; -1.51194 ), facilitating the supply of coal by barge. The generating station first supplied electricity in November 1895. The station was extended several times especially during the First World War to meet increased demand for electricity especially from munitions factories. [2]

Further demand for electricity in the inter-war period led to a larger power station being built in 1926–28 in Aldermans Green Road, Longford ( 52°27′23″N1°28′03″W / 52.45639°N 1.46750°W / 52.45639; -1.46750 ) five miles north-east of Coventry. This was also extended several times in 1938 and 1941. [3]

Equipment specification

Coventry (Sandy Lane) power station

The original plant at Coventry (Sandy Lane) power station comprised horizontal engines coupled by ropes to Fowler dynamos. In 1898 the generating capacity was 350 kW and the maximum load was 126 kW. [4]

First World War plant

During the First World War new plant was installed to meet growing demand for electricity. Coventry was a major armaments centre and there was a three-fold increase generating capability during the war. [2] By 1923 the generating plant at Coventry comprised: [5]

These machines gave a total generating capacity of 25,200 kW of alternating current. [5]

A variety of electricity supplies were available to consumers:

  • 2-phase, 50 Hz AC at 6,600, 2,000 and 200 Volts.

Coventry (Longford) power station 1928

A new power station at Longford / Hawkesbury Junction was sanctioned in August 1926 and was commissioned in October 1928.

The main contractors for the works were British Thomson-Houston Company of Rugby. Sub-contractors included Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company, Wilson Lovatt, Stirling Boiler Company, and Pirelli-General Cable work. [6]

The engine room and boiler house were constructed on mass concrete foundations. The buildings were steel framed with infill of brick and artificial stone. The coal handling equipment was capable of handling 50 tons an hour from the canal or from the railway sidings. [6]

The station was officially opened on 31 October 1928. [6]

The initial configuration of plant was: [3]

Coal was delivered by barge from the canal, and via a siding off the Coventry to Nuneaton railway line. [7]

First and second extensions

These extensions to the power station comprised: [3]

  • Boilers:
    • 4 × John Thompson tri-drum boilers with chain grate stokers, each producing 150,000 lb/h (18.9 kg/s) of steam, steam conditions were 325 psi and superheat to 720°F (22.4 bar, 382°C), steam was supplied to:
  • Turbo-alternators:
    • 2 × British Thomson-Houston 30.75 MW turbo-alternators, 3,000 rpm generating at 33 kV.
  • Cooling towers:
    • 2 × hyperbolic cooling towers each with a capacity of 1.5 million gallons per hour (1.89 m3/s), arranged in a lozenge plan with the 1928 towers. [8]

Third extension

This extension comprised: [3]

  • Boilers:
    • 2 × John Thompson tri-drum boilers with chain grate stokers, each producing 150,000 lb/h (18.9 kg/s) of steam, steam conditions were 325 psi and superheat to 720°F (22.4 bar, 382°C), steam was supplied to:
  • Turbo-alternator:
    • 1 × British Thomson-Houston 30.75 MW turbo-alternator, 3,000 rpm generating at 33 kV
  • Cooling tower:
    • 1 × hyperbolic cooling tower with a capacity of 1.5 million gallons per hour (1.89 m3/s). [3]

Operations

In 1898 the maximum electricity demand on the Sandy Lane station was 126 kW. [4] 79.583 MWh of electricity was sold to 100 customers and there were 8,149 lamps on the circuits. The revenue in 1898 was £5,018 and the operating expenditure was £1,166. [4]

Operating data 1921–23

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

Coventry power station operating data 1921–23
Electricity UseUnitsYear
192119221923
Lighting and domestic useMWh2,8732,7093,195
Public lighting useMWh467299
TractionMWh502403579
Power useMWh28,00322,95030,952
Total useMWh31,42526,13534,826
Load and connected load
Maximum loadkW17,81516,25018,800
Total connectionskW41,80642,70644,043
Load factorPer cent23.621.723.9
Financial
Revenue from sales of current£–234,778201,124
Surplus of revenue over expenses£–62,22099,930

The data shows the general growth of demand and use of electricity.

Under the terms of the Electricity (Supply) Act 1926 [9] the Central Electricity Board (CEB) was established in 1926. [10] The CEB identified high efficiency ‘selected’ power stations that would supply electricity most effectively; Coventry was designated a selected station. The CEB also constructed the National Grid (1927–33) to connect power stations within a region. [10]

Operating data 1946

Coventry (Longford) power station operating data in 1946, just prior to nationalisation, was as follows: [11]

Coventry power station operating data, 1954–72
YearLoad factor per centMax output load MWElectricity supplied GWhThermal efficiency per cent
194634.991,060278.6916.55

The British electricity supply industry was nationalised in 1948 under the provisions of the Electricity Act 1947. [12] The Coventry electricity undertaking was abolished, ownership of Coventry 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 Coventry electricity undertaking were transferred to the East Midlands Electricity Board (EMEB).

Operating data 1954–72

Operating data for the period 1954–72 is shown in the table: [3] [13] [14]

Coventry power station operating data, 1954–72
YearRunning hours or load factor (per cent)Max output capacity MWElectricity supplied GWhThermal efficiency per cent
19543687120157.21916.98
19554237120199.89317.40
19564269120199.07417.32
19574153111184.49517.60
19583940111179.90418.01
1961(12.6 %)117129.26717.97
1962(13.9 %)117142.59017.45
1963(17.87 %)117183.10517.60
1967(13.1 %)117134.05916.05
1972(11.3 %)8483.8116.33

The data demonstrates the declining usage, capacity and supply over the period 1954–72.

Closure and redevelopment

The Sandy Lane power station buildings, renamed Electric Wharf, have been redeveloped as residential and commercial use. [15]

Coventry (Longford) power station was decommissioned on 25 October 1976. [16] The buildings and structures were subsequently demolished and as of 2020 the area is unused. However, the location's association with electricity continues. East of the Oxford Canal is the 275 kV Coventry substation that feeds the 132 kV Coventry North substation south of the former power station site. [17]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doncaster Power Station</span>

Doncaster Power Station refers to two coal-fired electricity generating stations situated in the centre of Doncaster in South Yorkshire, England. Doncaster A provided electricity to the town from 1900 to 1958, and the B station from 1953 to 1983.

Stourport power stations were two electricity generating stations that supplied electricity to Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire and to the wider West Midlands area from 1927 to 1984. The two stations, A (1927–78) and B (1950–84), were collocated on a joint site adjacent to the River Severn south of Stourport-on-Severn.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derby power station</span> Former coal-fired power station in England

Derby power station supplied electricity to the town of Derby and the surrounding area from 1893 to 1969. The power station was built and operated by Derby Corporation and started generating electricity in October 1893. It was located in Silkmill Lane in the town centre adjacent to the River Derwent from which it drew its cooling water. The power station was extended in the 1920s and 1940s. It was closed in 1969 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.

Lombard Road power station supplied electricity to the Battersea area of South-East London from 1901 to 1972. It was owned and operated by the Borough of Battersea 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 the 1930s. The station was decommissioned in 1972.

The Thornhill power station generated and supplied electricity to the town of Dewsbury and the wider regional area from 1902 to 1982, and again from 1998. The first generating station on the site was owned and operated by the Yorkshire Electric Power Company. Following nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948 Thornhill power station was operated by a succession of state owned bodies. The power station was redeveloped with new plant in 1915, 1925, 1932–37 and 1950–54. The coal-fired steam station was decommissioned in 1982, and was subsequently demolished. A gas turbine power station on the site was commissioned in 1998.

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.

Lister Drive power station was a series of generating stations that supplied electricity to the City of Liverpool and the wider area from 1900 until 1980. They were owned and collaboratively operated by Liverpool Corporation and Marcus Kemp Coal Limited until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was developed in several phases: designated No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 stations. A gas turbine station was commissioned in March 1965.

Gravesend power station was built by the Gravesend Corporation in 1902–03 to supply the local demand for electricity for lighting. It was built to the west of the municipal gas works, south east of the basin on the Thames and Medway canal. The power station operated until 1970 the buildings were reused but were demolished in 1995.

Hammersmith power station supplied electricity to the London Borough of Hammersmith from 1897 to 1965. It was owned and operated by the Vestry / Borough of Hammersmith until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was frequently redeveloped with new plant over its operational life to meet increased demands for electricity. It was decommissioned in 1965.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Leeds power station, also known as Whitehall Road power station, supplied electricity to the city of Leeds and the surrounding area from 1893 to 1965. It was initially built, owned and operated by the Yorkshire House-to-House Electricity Company Limited. Leeds Corporation took over the electricity undertaking in 1898 and generated and distributed electricity until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped several times to meet increasing demand for electricity.

Greenhill power station supplied electricity to the town of Oldham, England and the surrounding area from 1921 to 1960. It replaced the older Rhodes Bank generating station and was superseded by Chadderton B power station. Greenhill power station was owned and operated by Oldham Corporation until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was built over the period 1921–24 and was decommissioned in 1960.

Wolverhampton power station, also known as Commercial Road power station, supplied electricity to the Borough of Wolverhampton, England and the surrounding area from 1895 to 1976. It was redeveloped in several stages to meet growing demand for electricity: including the addition of new plant in 1902 to 1908, 1925 and 1942. The power station was initially owned and operated by Wolverhampton Corporation, but was transferred to the West Midlands Joint Electricity Authority in 1928. The British Electricity Authority assumed ownership at nationalisation in 1948. Wolverhampton power station was decommissioned in 1976.

Neepsend power station supplied electricity to the City of Sheffield and the surrounding area from 1910 to 1976. The power station was owned and operated by the Sheffield Corporation Electricity Department prior to the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. It was operated in conjunction with Blackburn Meadows and Kelham power stations and was closed in 1976.

References

  1. ↑ "Local Acts of Parliament 1891". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  2. 1 2 Hannah, Leslie (1979). Electricity before Nationalisation. London: Macmillan. p. 59. ISBN   0333220862.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Garrett, Frederick (1959). Garcke's Manual of Electricity Supply. Vol. 56. London: Electrical Press. pp. A-47, A-118.
  4. 1 2 3 Garcke, Emile (1898). Manual of Electrical Undertakings 1898-99 vol. 3. London: P. S. King and Son. pp. 160–162.
  5. 1 2 3 Electricity Commissioners (1925). Electricity Commissioners, Electricity Supply – 1920–23. London: HMSO. pp. 26–9, 366–71.
  6. 1 2 3 "Coventry power station opened". The Times. 1 November 1928. p. 11.
  7. ↑ "Coventry (Longford) power station". warwickshirerailways.com. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  8. ↑ Ordnance Survey 25 inch map Warwickshire XVII.13 (Bedworth; Coventry; Shilton) revised 1938, published 1947
  9. ↑ "Electricity (Supply) Act 1926". legislation.gov.uk. 1926. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  10. 1 2 3 Electricity Council (1987). Electricity supply in the United Kingdom: a Chronology. London: Electricity Council. pp. 45, 60, 69, 73. ISBN   085188105X.
  11. ↑ Electricity Commissioners (1947). Generation of Electricity in Great Britain Year Ended 31 December 1946. London: HMSO. p. 7.
  12. ↑ "Electricity Act 1947". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  13. ↑ CEGB Annual report and Accounts, 1961, 1962 & 1963
  14. ↑ CEGB (1972). CEGB Statistical Yearbook 1972. London: CEGB. p. 13.
  15. ↑ "Electric Wharf history" . Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  16. ↑ UK Parliament written answers Coal-fired power stations 16 January 1984
  17. ↑ "Open infrastructure map". Open infrastructure map. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.