Grove Road Power Station

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Grove Road Power Station
Grove Road Power Station
Country England, United Kingdom
Location Lisson Grove, London
Coordinates 51°31′39″N00°10′15″W / 51.52750°N 0.17083°W / 51.52750; -0.17083
StatusDecommissioned and demolished
Construction began1900
Commission date November 1902
Decommission date1969
Owner(s)Central Electric Supply Company
(1902–1925)
London Power Company
(1925–1948)
British Electricity Authority
(1948–1955)
Central Electricity Authority
(1955–1957)
Central Electricity Generating Board
(1958–1973)
Operator(s)As owner
Thermal power station
Primary fuelCoal (until 1964), oil (from 1964)
Site area3 hectare
Chimneys1
Cooling towers14 (wooden)
Cooling sourceRecirculating water cooling towers
Power generation
Units operational3 × 18.75 MW and 2 × 12 MW
Make and modelBritish Thomson-Houston 6.6 kV
Units decommissionedAll
Nameplate capacity 80.25 MW
Annual net output See text
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Grove Road power station was an 80.25 MW electricity generating station that operated from 1902 until it was closed in 1969. It was an early example of the co-operation between London electricity companies to centralise electricity generation in a shared, relatively large-scale, and therefore more efficient, power station. The site is now occupied by two major high-voltage electricity sub-stations.

Contents

History

The Central Electric Supply Company was founded in June 1897. [1] It was promoted by two existing statutory electricity undertakings: the Westminster Electric Supply Corporation and the St. James’ and Pall Mall Electric Lighting Company. [2] The St. James’ Company had commenced electricity generation and supply to its area of north Westminster in April 1889 [3] and the Westminster Corporation to north and south Westminster in November 1890. [3] Electricity was generated in several small-scale power stations within the companies area of supply, but they wished to produce electricity in bulk. The companies were the main shareholders of the Central Company which obtained legislative powers in 1899 to supply electricity to the two founding companies. [3]

Description

The Central Electric Supply Company established a 22 MW coal-fired power station on a 7.5 acre (3.0 hectare) [4] site off Grove Road (now Lisson Grove). The site is immediately to the north of the Regent’s Canal and south-east of Lord’s Cricket Ground. [5] The architects of the buildings were Charles Stanley Peach and Sir Charles Herbert Reilly. [6] The boiler house and turbine hall were orientated north-west to south-east, and there was a single, square, ornate brick chimney. [6] Although named Grove Road the main frontage of the power station was on the south side of Lodge Road (formerly Lodge Place). [5]

Coal for the power station was delivered to a dedicated siding off the adjacent Great Central Railway. [5] There was a large coal store to the south-west of the power station. The station was notable for the field of 14 wooden cooling towers to the south-west of the site. [7] [8]

Operation

Electricity supplies from Grove Road power station began in November 1902. [3] In the first year of operations (1903) the Central Company sold 2.60 MWh of electricity. [3]

From 1912 the Central Company also supplied current in bulk to the Chelsea Electricity Supply Company. [9] [4] The electricity generating capacity of the companies, and how this changed over time is demonstrated in the following table. [3] [9] [10] There was, as intended, a decline in local electricity generation and a move towards central production.

Electricity company generating capacity
Electricity generating capacity, MW
St. JamesWestminsterChelseaCentral
18982.824.531.86—
19035.5010.65(3.30)22.00
191310.217.813.5014.68
19203.229.823.420.20
192308.100.6050.00
1933000Part of LPC

In 1912 further equipment was installed in Grove Road to increase the generating capacity to 40 MW. [2]

In 1923 the Central Electric Company’s generating plant at Grove Road comprised 1 × 3.0 MW, 2 × 6.0 MW and 2 × 10.0 MW turbo generators. The maximum load on the system was 25.050 MW. The total steam output capacity of the boilers was 557,400 lb/hr (70.2 kg/s). The company generated 51,102 MWh during 1923. [11]

In 1923 the St. James Company provided a 110 & 220 V DC supply, and a single phase 105 V 85 Hz AC supply, the maximum load was 8,871 kW. It generated just 21.785 MWh in 1923, and sold a total of 15,826 MWh raising a revenue of £279,137. [11]

In 1923 the Westminster Company provided a 400/440 V DC only supply. The generating plant comprised 2 × 300 kW, 3 × 1000 kW, 1 × 1500 kW and 1 × 3000 kW turbo generators, the maximum load was 18,702 kW. It generated 11,906 MWh in 1923, and sold a total of 30,261 MWh raising £458,682 in revenue. [11]

In 1923 the Chelsea Company provided a 200 & 400 V DC only supply. The generating plant comprised 2 × 80 kW, 4 × 150 kW, 6 × 200 kW and 2 × 420 reciprocating generators and 3 × 200 kW oil driven machines. In 1923 it generated 3,060 MWh, and sold 5,268 MWh raising a revenue of £122,240. [11]

Bulk electricity supplies from Grove Road were transmitted at 6.6 kV, 3-phase, 50 Hz. [2] Local supplies were of Direct Current (DC) at 200–400 V. [2] In 1915 the Central Company supplied up to 10.7 MW to the Westminster company via Motor-generator sets, and 2.2 MW to St. James. [4] In the mid-1920s the bulk supply voltage was increased to 22 kV. [4] The generating and transforming capacity for undertakings acquiring bulk supplies; and the amount of electricity generated and imported (from Grove Road) in 1923 were: [9]

Electricity company capacity, generation and import
St. JamesWestminsterChelseaCentral (Grove Road)
Generating capacity, MW08.100.6050.00
Transforming capacity, MW13.4923.704.50̶
Electricity generated, MWh013.241.0459.71
Electricity imported, MWh23.1231.255.67̶

Under the London Electricity (No. 2) Act 1925 (14 & 15 Geo. 5. c. lxiii) the St. James, Westminster, Chelsea, Central Company, and others, became part of the London Power Company (LPC). [10] The companies continued to reduce the generation of electricity from small local power stations and purchased electricity supplies from the LPC. In 1925 the London Power Company embarked on a plan to modernise Grove Road power station. [4] The peak generating capacity of Grove Road was increased to 80.25 MW; this is in the context of the LPC’s major generating stations: Battersea rated at 343 MW (in 1935) and 503 MW (1955) and Deptford at 448 MW.

It was reported in 1930 that experimental work had been carried out at Grove Road power station into eliminating sulphur oxides from the flue gases. Under working condition removal of 95 per cent of sulphur oxides was claimed. This work was in the context of the ongoing construction of Battersea power station which required flue-gas treatment facilities to be provided. [12]

The Central Electric Supply Company was legally dissolved in October 1932 as its functions to supply electricity had been subsumed by the LPC. [13]

Upon nationalisation of the British electricity industry in 1948 ownership of Grove Road station was transferred to the British Electricity Authority (1948–55), then to the Central Electricity Authority (1955–57), and finally to the Central Electricity Generating Board (1958–69).

The generating capacity of Grove Road power station in 1964 was still 80.25 MW. [14] There were 3 × 18.75 MW and 2 × 12 MW British Thomson-Houston turbo-alternators. The chain-grate boilers had a steam capacity of 895,000 lb/hr (112.8 kg/s). The steam pressure at the turbine stop valves was 210 psi (14.45 bar) 357/371 °C. [14] In 1954 the station burned 81,400 tons of coal. [15] In 1964–65 the boilers were modified for oil firing to take advantage of relatively cheap oil in this period. [14] By 1968 some electricity plant had been retired and the generating capability of the power station had been reduced to 37.5 MW; the thermal efficiency was 12.59 percent (in 1961) [16] and 9.18 per cent (in 1968). The electricity output of Grove Road power station in its final years was as follows. [16] [15] [17] [18] [19]

Grove Road annual electricity output GWh.

Decommissioning

The electricity generating plant at Grove Road power station was decommissioned in 1969. [14] The power station buildings were demolished in 1973. [6]

The Grove Road site is now the location of two major electricity sub-stations. It is at the southern end of the 400 kV Elstree to St John’s Wood transmission cable tunnel and is also a 132 kV sub-station, part of the London power distribution network. [20]

Other uses

In October 1960 the photographer Terence Donovan undertook a fashion shoot called ‘Thermodynamic’ for Man About Town Magazine at Grove Road Power Station. [21]

In 1963 the CEGB was researching the possibility of using warmed cooling water from power stations to support fish-farming both for recreational use and for food. They introduced carp (Cyprinus carpio), grass carp, silver carp and Tilapia into the cooling water ponds at Grove Road power station. The fish grew quickly in the warm water (up to 27 °C). [22]

Related Research Articles

The Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) was responsible for electricity generation, transmission and bulk sales in England and Wales from 1958 until privatisation of the electricity industry in the 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wakefield power station</span> Series of two former coal-fired power stations

The Wakefield power stations refers to a series of two coal-fired power stations situated on the River Calder at Agbrigg south east of Wakefield, serving much of West Yorkshire. The first station on the site, Wakefield A power station was constructed for Wakefield Corporation in the late-1880s. A second station, Wakefield B power station, was brought into operation in the late-1940s and was decommissioned in 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northampton Power Station</span> Former electricity generating station

Northampton power station was an electricity generating station in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England, which began operation for the Northampton Electric Light and Power Company Limited (NELPC) in 1919 and generated power until closure in 1976.

Southampton Power Station was a coal fired power station built by Southampton Corporation that operated between 1904 and 1977.

The St. Pancras Power Stations were two electricity generating stations, also known as the Regent’s Park Power Station and the King’s Road Power Station, which supplied electricity to the district of St. Pancras in north London from 1891 to 1968.

The Charing Cross and Strand Electricity Supply Corporation Limited was a British electricity undertaking. It was incorporated as a public company in 1889 to generate and supply electricity to parts of the City of Westminster, Holborn and later the City of London. From 1925 it worked jointly with other companies as part of the London Power Company. The company was abolished on 31 March 1948 when the British electricity industry was nationalised, and its assets were transferred to the British Electricity Authority and the London Electricity Board. The Charing Cross Corporation's Bow power station continued in operation until 1969.

The Norwich power stations were a sequence of electricity generating stations that provided electric power to the City of Norwich and the wider area between 1893 and 1986. The first station in Duke Street began operating in 1893, a new power station at Thorpe was in service from 1926 to 1967, this was supplemented with a 'high pressure' station, 1937–1975, and finally a gas turbine station operated from 1964–1986.

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.

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.

Wandsworth power station supplied electricity to the London district of Wandsworth and to Putney, Tooting Graveney, Streatham and Clapham from 1897 to 1964. It was owned and operated by the County of London Electric Lighting Company Limited until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped during its operational life until it was decommissioned in 1964.

Stockport power station supplied electricity to the town of Stockport, Cheshire and the surrounding area from 1899 to 1976. The power station was owned and operated by Stockport Corporation prior to the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. It was redeveloped several times 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.

Thanet power station, also known as St. Peter's power station, supplied electricity to the towns of Broadstairs and Margate and other locations on the Isle of Thanet, Kent, England from 1901 to 1964. The station was owned and operated by the Isle of Thanet Electric Supply Company Limited until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The coal-fired power station had an ultimate electricity generating capacity of 6 MW.

St Helens power station supplied electricity to the Borough of St Helens and the surrounding area from 1896 to the late 1960s. The power station was developed by the St Helens Corporation which operated it up to the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. It was redeveloped several times to meet the increased demand for electricity.

Wimbledon power station supplied electricity to the Borough of Wimbledon and the surrounding area from 1899 to 1968. The power station was developed by the Wimbledon Corporation which operated it up to 1933. The London and Home Counties Joint Electricity Authority operated the station from 1933 until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. It was redeveloped by the owners several times 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.

Woking power station supplied electricity to the Borough of Woking and the surrounding area from 1890 to 1960. The power station was operated by the Woking Electric Supply Company Limited 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.

Guildford power station supplied electricity to the town of Guildford and the surrounding area from 1896 to 1967. The power station was built and operated by the Guildford Electricity Supply Company Limited. In 1921 it was acquired by the Guildford Corporation which operated it until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948.

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.

Uxbridge power station supplied electricity to the District of Uxbridge and the surrounding area from 1902 to 1962. The power station was built by the Uxbridge and District Electric Supply Company Limited which operated it until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948.

References

  1. ↑ "A Potted History of Electricity Supply in London". Metadyne website. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Central Electric Supply Co". Graces Guide to British Industrial History. 28 September 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 London County Council (1905). London Statistics 1904-5 Volume xv. London: London County Council. pp. 434–5.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Horne, M.A.C. (2012). "London Area Power Supply" (PDF). Metadyne. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 Old Ordnance Survey Maps, St John's Wood 1913. Newcastle upon Tyne: Alan Godfrey Maps. 31 March 1996. ISBN   0850547962.
  6. 1 2 3 "Grove Road Power Station". RIBA. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  7. ↑ "Central London's unique power stations". Hyde Park Now. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  8. ↑ EPW009093 Aerial view Marylebone station area 1923 (1923). "Pioneers and Photos: 100 years of Aerofilms 1919-2019". Historic England. Retrieved 29 January 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. 1 2 3 London County Council (1926). London Statistics 1925-25 Volume 30. London: London County Council. pp. 290, 299, 302–3.
  10. 1 2 London County Council (1934). London Statistics 1932-33 Volume 37. London: London County Council. pp. 331, 333, 339, 348–9.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Electricity Commission (1925). Electricity Supply - 1920-1923. London: HMSO.
  12. ↑ "Battersea power station, p.11". The Times. 13 November 1930.
  13. ↑ London County Council (1939). London Statistics 1936-37 Volume 41. London: London County Council. pp. 374, 386.
  14. 1 2 3 4 CEGB Statistical Yearbook (1965-68), CEGB, London.
  15. 1 2 "Schedule of power stations as at 31 December 1954". Electrical Review. 24 June 1955: 1123. 24 June 1955.
  16. 1 2 "British Power Stations Operating at 31 December 1961". Electrical Review. 1 June 1962: 91.
  17. ↑ Garrett, Frederick C., ed. (1959). Garcke's Manual of electricity supply (vol. 56). London: Electrical Press. pp. A-58, A-121.
  18. ↑ GEGB Annual report and accounts, various years
  19. ↑ Electricity Commission, Generation of Electricity in Great Britain year ended 31st December 1946. London: HMSO, 1947.
  20. ↑ "St. John's Wood LPN Regional Development Plan" (PDF). UK power networks. 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  21. ↑ "Terence Donovan: Swinging Sixties London". www.artsy.net. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  22. ↑ Iles, R.B. (31 January 1963). "Cultivating fish for food and sport in power-station water". New Scientist. 324: 227–29.
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