Wolverhampton Power Station

Last updated

Wolverhampton power station
Wolverhampton Power Station
CountryEngland
LocationWolverhampton
Coordinates 52°34′54″N02°06′54″W / 52.58167°N 2.11500°W / 52.58167; -2.11500 Coordinates: 52°34′54″N02°06′54″W / 52.58167°N 2.11500°W / 52.58167; -2.11500
StatusDecommissioned
Construction began1894
Commission date 1895
Decommission date1976
Construction cost£32,000
Owner(s)Wolverhampton Corporation
(1894–1928)
West Midlands Joint Electricity Authority
(1928–1948)
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
Chimneys1 brick 115 feet (35 m); 1 steel 175 feet (53 m)
Cooling towers1 concrete
Cooling sourceCirculating water
Power generation
Units operational1 × 30 MW (from 1942)
Make and modelBrush-Ljungstrom
Nameplate capacity 30 MW
Annual net output 125.271 GWh (1946)
[ edit on Wikidata]

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.

Contents

History

In 1883 Wolverhampton Corporation applied for a provisional order [1] under the Electric Lighting Acts to generate and supply electricity to the town. This was granted by the Board of Trade, however, no construction work was undertaken and a further provisional order was obtained in 1890. [2] The power station was built in Commercial Road (52°34'54"N 2°06'54"W 52°34′54″N2°06′54″W / 52.58167°N 2.11500°W / 52.58167; -2.11500 ) and was adjacent to the Wolverhampton Level canal for the delivery of coal. It first supplied electricity on 30 January 1895. [3]

Equipment specification

Original plant 1895

The original 1895 plant at Wolverhampton power station comprised Marshall's horizontal compound engines coupled by ropes to Electric Construction Company and Parker dynamos, together with a Belliss engine coupled directly to a Parker dynamo. In 1898 the generating capacity was 632 kW and the maximum load on the system was 318 kW. [4]

New plant 1902–04

New plant was installed from 1902, partly to supply the local tramway system. By 1908 the capacity was 6 MW there were two Babcock & Wilcox 20,000 lb/h (2.52 kg/s) boilers, two 1 MW turbo-alternators. [5] By 1913 there was 3 MW of direct current generating plant and 4 MW of alternating current generation. [3]

In 1904 a refuse destructor was built in Crown Street, this generated steam to drive two 125 kW generators. Further plant was added to the destructor plant bringing the generating capacity up to 750 kW (1913) and 1 MW (1921). This comprised one 500 kW AC turbine and one 500 kW DC turbine. [6]

Plant in 1923

By 1923 the generating plant comprised: [6]

These machines gave a total generating capacity of 22 MW of alternating current. [6]

In addition the adjacent refuse destructor plant had a 500 kW turbine generating direct current. [3]

Electricity was supplied to consumers at: [6]

In 1925 the DC generators were scrapped and two 7.5 MW turbo-alternators were commissioned. [3] This brought the capacity of the station to 23 MW. [3]

Plant in 1942

New plant was commissioned in 1942, comprising: [7]

Operations

Operational data for the station was as follows.

In 1898 maximum electricity demand was 318 kW. [4] There were 208 customers supplied with a total of 211,777 kWh of electricity plus 79,438 kWh for public lamps. The revenue from the sales of current was £6,139 offset by generating costs of £2,211. [4]

Operating data 1921–23

The operating data for the period 1921–23 was: [6]

Wolverhampton power station operating data 1921–23
Electricity UseUnitsYear
192119221923
Lighting and domesticMWh2,4782,8323,071
Public lightingMWh244239275
TractionMWh2,3662,1642,437
PowerMWh16,24010,52214,088
Bulk supplyMWh2314527,068
Total useMWh21,59916,20926,940
Load and connected load
Maximum loadkW10,1259,36111,735
Total connectionskW23,13024,25529,365
Load factorPer cent31.528.032.1
Financial
Revenue from sales of current£–156,349169,852
Surplus of revenue over expenses£–63,57379,523

Ownership of Wolverhampton power station was transferred to the West Midlands Joint Electricity Authority in 1928. [5]

Operating data 1934–6

The station capacity and output in the mid-1930s was: [8]

Wolverhampton station capacity and output 1934–36
1934–351935–36
Plant capacity MW30.030.0
Maximum load MW22.030.2
Maximum demand load factor %22.313.0
Electricity generated MWh42,99934,568
Electricity sold MWh39,57831,857
Supply to Wolverhampton Corporation MWh130,501149,325

Operating data 1946

Wolverhampton power station operating data in 1946 was: [9]

Wolverhampton power station operating data, 1946
YearLoad factor per centMax output load MWElectricity supplied MWhThermal efficiency per cent
194632.244,400125,27119.26

The British electricity supply industry was nationalised in 1948 under the provisions of the Electricity Act 1947 (10 & 11 Geo. 6 c. 54). [10] The Wolverhampton electricity undertaking and the West Midlands Joint Electricity Authority were abolished. Ownership of Wolverhampton power station was vested in the British Electricity Authority, and subsequently the Central Electricity Authority and the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB). [11] At the same time the electricity distribution and sales responsibilities of the Wolverhampton electricity undertaking were transferred to the Midlands Electricity Board (MEB). [11]

Operating data 1954–72

Operating data for the period 1954–72 was: [7] [12] [13]

Wolverhampton power station operating data, 1954–72
YearRunning hours or load factor (per cent)Max output capacity  MWElectricity supplied GWhThermal efficiency per cent
195435812884.62821.00
1955503328122.04020.25
1956447328104.67319.47
195740772890.98219.62
195829832871.35520.17
1961(25.0 %)2861.30520.20
1962(10.7 %)2826.32520.14
1963(1.74 %)284.27418.34
1967(22.6%)2855.3218.54
1972(24.1 %)2859.29620.2

The electricity output in GWh of the station was as shown.

Wolverhampton was an electricity supply district covering 106 square miles (275 km2) and a population of 191,500. [7] It encompassed the County Borough of Wolverhampton, and parts of the districts of Tettenhall, Cannock, Seisdon, Shifnal and Bridgnorth. The number of consumers and electricity sold was: [7]

Year195619571958
Number of consumers62,94364,35465,353
Electricity sold MWh475,606492,667523,067

Closure and reuse

Wolverhampton power station was decommissioned on 25 October 1976. [14] The main buildings have been adapted to commercial use.

See also

Related Research Articles

Wilford power station was a coal-fired electricity generating station situated on the north bank of the River Trent, at Nottingham in the East Midlands.

Rotherham power station was a coal-fired power station sited close to the centre of Rotherham in South Yorkshire.

Doncaster Power Station

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.

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

The Worcester Power Stations were a series of hydro-electric and coal-fired generating stations providing electricity to the City of Worcester.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. ↑ Confirmed by parliament in the Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 2) Act 1883 (46 & 47 Vict. c. ccxiv).
  2. ↑ Confirmed by parliament in the Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation Act 1890 (54 & 55 Vict. c. clxxxvi).
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Commercial Road Power Station". Archived from the original on 13 January 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 Garcke, Emile (1898). Manual of Electrical Undertakings 1898-99 vol. 3. London: P. S. King and Son. pp. 345–47.
  5. 1 2 Tucker, D. G. (1977). "Electricity generating stations for public supply in the West Midlands 1888–1977" (PDF). outsideecho. Retrieved 23 October 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Electricity Commissioners (1925). Electricity Supply – 1920–23. London: HMSO. pp. 106–09, 332–7.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Garrett, Frederick (1959). Manual of Electricity Supply vol. 56. London: Electrical Press. pp. A-109, A-139, B-258.
  8. ↑ Electricity Commissioners (1936). Electricity Commissioners Sixteenth annual report 1935-6. London: HMSO. p. 141.
  9. ↑ Electricity Commissioners (1947). Generation of Electricity in Great Britain year ended 31 December 1946. London: HMSO. p. 15.
  10. ↑ "Electricity Act 1947". legislation.gov.uk. 1947. Retrieved 23 October 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. 1 2 Electricity Council (1987). Electricity supply in the United Kingdom: a Chronology. London: Electricity Council. pp. 45, 60, 69, 73. ISBN   085188105X.
  12. ↑ CEGB Annual report and Accounts, 1961, 1962 & 1963
  13. ↑ Central Electricity Generating Board (1972). CEGB Statistical Yearbook 1972. London: Central Electricity Generating Board. p. 13.
  14. ↑ House of Commons. Written answers, Coal-fired power stations, 16 January 1964
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.