ARAPUNI POWER.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 232, 1 October 1929, Page 9

ARAPUNI POWER.

F PARTIAL CLOSE DOWN.

AT KING'S WHARF STATION.

RESULT OF TRIALS

REPORT TO AUCKLAND BOARD.

In accordance with its expressed intention, the Auckland Electric Power Board temporarily closed down, all with the exception of one generating.set of 5000 k.xr. capacity at King's wharf sub-station for a period last week, and primarily relied on Arapuni for its electrical supply. The practice will become general wLcii the latter station is functioning properly. It was reported to yesterday's meeting of the board by the' general manager (Mr. ]{. H. Bartley) that the second set at Arapuni was now operating, and the station was able to deliver to the board approximately 20,000 k.w. As a matter of trial the board transferred the whole | of its area, with the exception of the •Epsom traction sub-station .to Arapuni on Wednesday afternoon last, but, as a precautionary measure, retained a full head of steam and kept machines running practically idle until Thursday morning, when the fires in all boilers on the low pressure side were banked. One turbine on the high pressure side at King's wharf was kept running. Voltage Fluctuation. '-'■,". "It was reported to us late on Thursday night that some work required to be done on one of the auxiliary bearings of the No. 2 machine," added Mr. Bartley. "In consequence we have relieved our loading' on Arapuni until this is completed on Friday night. During the trial operations we observed a good deal of voltage fluctuation which will, no doubt, be corrected as soon as the synchronous condenser plant is put into operation at JPeijrose, About Wednesday of this "Week, however, matters should have settled down to the new conditions of Working. Opportunity will be taken immediately to carry out certain overhauls and repairs at the King's wharf station. The work will be done in stages in order to have sufficient plant always available in case*.of.necessity-" .

The chairman (Mr.'W. J. Holdsworth) said the reason for the overhaul was to ensure .that everything would be in readiness' should, it be necessary to use Kbig's wharf station later on. The board would simply -run one 5000 k.w. set until the third turbine .at Arapuni was available. Mr. -T. Blood worth: Has the board got anything, definite from the Government in: connection. with its- proposal to close down King's, wharf station? Mr. Bartley. explained that he had conferred with the District Electrical Engineer of the Public Works Departs ment, at Hamilton, who staged that in the event of trouble at- Arapuni, the output Of one machine would be reserved for the board, and. in addition, some power would be available from the Penrose Diesel plant. • . Mr. Holdsworth said the engineer had promised to confirm the arrangement that had been made verbally. As a consequence of the arrangement, said Mr. Bartley, he had terminated coal ; supplies, which, covild be replenished as needed, from time to time at contract rates. Mr. E. H. Potter: What power is the board taking/from . Arapuni now? Mr. Bartley: We are taking. 17,000 k.w. from Arapuni, and supplying 5000 k.w. ourselves. The report was adopted.