WATERHEATING CONTROL

Chronicle (Levin), 24 October 1946, Page 4

WATERHEATING CONTROL

Scheme Before Power Board ESTIMATED COST £26,000 The advisability of installing a modern system of control for elec-. tric power, whereby any particular section of load may be controlled from a central point, was discussed at the monthly meeting of the -Horowhenua Electric Power Board on Tuesday. The chairman, Mr. G. A. Monk, when introducing the proposal, asked members to give.the matte'r considerable thought. The board was the only one which did not nave some direct control over power, and more particularly, electric water heaters, and this was reflected in the cost of power to the board. As far as district and capital charges were concerned, said Mr. Monk, the board compared favourably with other supp'ly authorities, but was in a very unfavourable position in regard to cost of power. The chief reason for this was lack of control. The system it' was proposed to introduce involved the use of high frequency inpulses, which would pass through the district system and operate relay switches in the consumers' premises. The result would be that the whole of the electrical system would be brought under finger-tip control from the Levin sub station. When the necessary metering equipment at present on order was installed at the sub station, the amount of load being carried could be indicated, and peaks could be controlled by short cut offs, continued Mr. Monk. He did not think this would be necessary on many occasions, perhaps two or three times in every quarter. The chairman pointed out that for the last December quarter, which was an unusually higfuone, the load could have been reduced iDy 640 K.V.A. by a system such as was proposed, with a maximum shut olf of 90 rninutes over the whole quarter. As no previous method of control had been employed by the board, it was now in the position to instal the very latest, without complications or loss. The cost of the installation of the proposed equipment would be approximately £26,000, which would as far as possible be covered from revenue. Detailed reports on the proposed scheme were submitted to board members by the managing-secre-tary (Mr. R. A. Frederikson) and engineer (Mr. J. F. Brycel . When considering control the most obvious load was that of water heaters, as the stoppage' of powrer was not immediately eifective as would be the case with electric motors or cooking, said Mr. Frederikson, in his report. The more efficient the control, the less inconvenience would be caused. At present water heaters had been under control in Levin, Foxton and Otaki, and had proved very eifective. This was effected by a pilot system operated by a time switch. The new system would not render this system obsolete, but would work in conjunction with it. With the new system one relay would be installed in place of tlie existing time switch, and would serve to put into operation the whole of the pilot in a particular locality, thus oringing the whole area under finger-tip control from a central point. The estimated cost of installing the pilot wire control was £7 per

heater and the new system £9 6s. The complete cost of the pilot wire control and the new control would be £26,000 and the net saving' per 2nnum £2,900, advised Mr. Frederikson. These figures took water heating ?lone into account and did not make provision for other olf peak loads which could be encouraged in order to further improve the l|>ad factor, he added. With consrol available, the scope for this type of load was greatly enlarged, and this was an important factor in the eonsideration of load control. In considering the question, it ,vas not necessary, he said, to comniit the board to an immediate expenditure of £26,000. Provided it was the intention of the board tc control the whole area, the installation could be made in progressive steps — firstly, the pilot wire in more densely populated areas, and, secondly, the new system in the northern area and southern area. In view of the saving which would result, he did not think it beyond the finances of the board to carry out the major portion of the installation from the revenue account. The two reports were considered by members of the board and much discussion followed. Mr. W. E. Barber said that provided it did not foecame a dictatorship control he would support the scheme. . Mr. C. S. Keedwell said he would hesitate to support expenditure of this nature. Mr. Monk said that a system of control was absolutely essential. [f the board exceeded its quota of units, it would be placed on the black list. Control" was the only answer. Several^ other members expressed their opinions, some for and some against, but all agreed that more time was required for them to go fully into the reports of the engineer and the managing-secfetary. Mr. Monk agreed, sayipg that he did not want a hasty dec'ision. Behind the suggestion was the board's desire to see that the very best service was given the consumer at the lowest -possible cost.