POWER SUPPLY

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21373, 18 March 1941, Page 7

POWER SUPPLY

(To the Editor) Sir,—To one having more than a passing knowledge of the principles underlying modern steam generation as applied to central station working, the discussion at the power boards’ recent conference discloses an almost incredible state of affairs relative to the low thermal efficiency of the two stations concerned. The coal consumption at King’s Wharf as estimated for the coming winter loading (9500 tons weekly) is staggering in view of the great economies made in the power cost of fuel-burn-ing stations during recent years. Why is it that we are asked to produce a tonnage from the mines an excess of 150 per cent of what would suffice for the requirements of a modern steam-raising plant? This is the point that concerns industry and to which those responsible should be asked to give a definite reply. To illustrate the great improvement made in efficiency, one has only to cite the statement of the fuel research committee “that if coal was burnt in the power stations of Great Britain in 1937 at the same efficiency as in 1910 the consumption of coal would have been 29,000,000 tons instead of only 11,000,000.” In the case under review the position shows a lack of vision, coupled with the failure to recognise that co-ordina-tion of the two sources of supply is imperative in the interests of national economy. Herein lies the root cause of the present unsatisfactory position facing industry today. Competition between the two sources of supply in this country does not exist, due to the operation of a misguided policy which has killed all incentive by station engineers towards increasing thermal efficiency in plants under their control, the direct result of which is so obvious today, fuel costs being treble what they should be. The Karapiro project might well have awaited more favourable world conditions. Even with plant delivery assured, this station could not offer any contribution of value inside of five years, whereas the fuel station, the first section comprising 50,000 k.v.a., could have been functioning and revenue-producing by the winter of 1942, and on a coal consumption of less than half that necessary for present-day requirements on a capital outlay of £2O per k.w. installed, with subsequent generating costs not exceeding .125 d a unit delivered at the switchboard, and the complete unit 100 per cent British product. We have, for some unknown reason, by-passed that great stalwart the British manufacturer (whose invincible courage should receive our every encouragement). We should be “big enough” to make this gesture to the firm that “still delivers the goods” under the most appalling conditions, and so frame our future power policy to ensure that he is given all he asks for, and which is only a “fair deal.”—l am, etc., K.V.A. Cambridge, March 10.