Take a power trip and learn & enjoy

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 564, 29 November 1994, Page 4 (Supplement)

Take a power trip and learn & enjoy

You can find about the wonders of hydro electricity at the Tokaanu Visitor Centre next to Tokaanu power station, near Turangi. Admission is free to the centre, which is open from 10am through to 4pm Monday to Saturday. Visitors are able to tour the power station as well as view the displays at the centre. Friendly guides explain how things work and answer any questions. A visit to this interesting place usually starts with a video presentation. This shows how the complex T ongariro Power Scheme works. This scheme is a very important part of the electricity generation system controlled by ECNZ. The highlight for many people is the tour of Tokaanu power station. It isn't until you are actually inside the station that you really begin to realise the amazing feat of engineering and science that hydro electricity is, says guide Jim Miller. The centre has many interesting displays. You can see for yourself a piece of the new Cook Strait cable. It makes an interesting comparison to some of the fibre optic cable also on display. There is a model of the Tokaanu power station, plus.photographs of its construction. You can highlight a particular part of the Tongariro Power Scheme on a large display map. The Department of Conservation also has some material on display at the centre. On the tour of the station, you can see all sorts of fascinating things — you can have a look at one of the spinning turbines, capable of producing 69,000 horsepower and turning 375 times a minute. You can also have a look at the cooling gallery for cables, miles of them, which transmit electricity at 11,000 volts to the switchyard next to the station. Look out for one of the gigantic spanners on the walls on the turbine floor! The guides at the centre are Jim Miller,

Bill Brewer and Frances Meredith, who between them have many years experience with hydro electricity. "The purpose of the centre is to let people know about what is involved in generating power for New Zealand," says Jim. "There' s a lot involved. Its a big job." Jim says there is plenty for people to come and see at the popular centre. "In the past, the public tended to be kept away from things because there was no-one around to show them what went on. " Many visitors are pleasantly surprised by the centre and the willingness of ECNZ to make such facilities available free of charge. This is quite a different approach from some countries, said Jim. "Once we had an engineer from overseas visit. He'd been trying for 1 5 years to visit a power station in his own country but he could never get permission. A visit to the centre makes for both an entertaining and informative time.