MORE ELECTRIC POWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 782, 1 October 1929, Page 7

MORE ELECTRIC POWER

AUCKLAND’S SUPPLY FROM ARAPUNI RESULTS OF TRIAL T That the second unit at Arapuni was now in operation and the station was able to deliver to the board approximately 20,000 kilowatts, was reported to members of the Auckland Electric-Power Board at yesterday’s meeting, by the general manager, Mr. _R. H. Bartley. As a trial, the whole of the board's area, with the exception of the Epsom traction sub-station, was transferred to the Arapuni plant last Wednesday at about 4 p.m., but as a precautionary •measure a full head of steam was retained at icing’s Wharf, and the machines were kept running, practically idle, until Thursday morning, when the fires in all boilers on the low pressure side were banked. The station load and the Epsom traction sub-station load had been taken by one turbine which had continued running on the high pressure side of the station. Late on Thursday evening it was reported that some work had to be done on one of the auxiliary bearings of the No. 2 machine, and in consequence the loading on Arapuni was relieved until this -was completed. A good deal of voltage fluctuation had been observed during the trial, but his would no doubt be corrected jas soon as the synchronous condenser plant was put into operation at Penrose, over the week-end. Certain overhauls and repairs would be made at the King’s Wharf station. These would be done in stages in order to have sufficient plant always available in case of necessity. Mr. Bartley also reported that he had received confirmation from the district electrical engineer of the Public Works Department In Hamilton that, in the event of trouble at Arapuni, the output of one machine would be reserved for the board, and that some power would be available from the Penrose Diesel plant. As the greater part of the plant at the King’s Wharf station would be closed within the next few weeks, with the exception of one 5,000 kilowatt unit, which would mean dispensing with the services of a number of the staff, on the suggestion of the general manager a sub committee was set up to deal with the question.