New Turbine Producing Power At Wairakei

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29849, 15 June 1962, Page 5

New Turbine Producing Power At Wairakei

"The Press” Special Service

AUCKLAND. June 14. .. S * ge two of the £2l million geothermal-steam power station at Wairakei has been successfully introduced about two months late. The first 11,000-kilowatt high-pressr-e turbine has been on commercial load since laet week. Tests best an on the machine in March but insufficient steam from the bores delayed its commercial use Although the introduction of the turbine lifts the installed capacity at Wairakei to more than 80.000 kilowatts, the station is generating just over 70 000 kilowatts An 11.000-kilowatt stave one turbine has been withdrawn for modification to improve its performance Mr A C F'ooks. Ministry of Works project engineer, said the station would be producing 100.0«30 kilowatts late in September. Machinery Delayed Delay in the arrival of machinery, he said, had postponed for some months stage 1A of the scheme, in which an 11.000-kilowatt low-pres-sure turbine would be run from steam “flashed" from hot water at oresent running to waste at the well heads By star’e three of the scheme <250.000 kilowatts), it is expected that 35 per cent of the total electricity available will be generated in this win

The maze of pipes at Wairakei has grown considerably within the last few month? with the completion of more feeder pipes taking the steam

from the bores to the power- • bouse. r The “B” powerhouse which i formed the major part of a 1 £l5 million contract is within two months of completion. t The first of three 30.000-kilo- = watt mixed-pressure turbines 1 is nearly finished. i Two of these and two t 11,000-kilowatt high-pressure ; turbines comprise stage two 1 of the scheme which, with the "flash” system, will lift i the output to 150.000 kilowatts • next year. : Forty men from the aban- . doned Maraetai No. 2 hydro- ; electric scheme have finished 700 feet of the mile-long stage > two main drainage channel at . Wairakei. The 24 additional bores for stage two are drilled and the r weil-head equipment has i been installed. The commissioning dates i tor the remaining turbines o stage two are not yet certain. , Up to stage two, Wairakei is expected to cost £l5 million.