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Coordinates: 53°32′21″N 02°06′22″W / 53.53917°N 2.10611°W / 53.53917; -2.10611
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{{Short description|Former coal-fired power station in England}}
{{Infobox power station
{{Infobox power station
| name = Greenhill power station
| name = Greenhill power station
Line 4: Line 5:
| image_caption =
| image_caption =
| coordinates = {{Coord|53|32|21|N|02|06|22|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|53|32|21|N|02|06|22|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| country = England
| country = [[England]]
| location = Oldham
| location = [[Oldham]]
| status = Decommissioned and demolished
| status = Decommissioned and demolished
| construction_began =
| construction_began =
Line 11: Line 12:
| decommissioned = 1960
| decommissioned = 1960
| cost =
| cost =
| owner = Oldham Corporation (1894–1948), [[British Electricity Authority]] (1948–55), [[Central Electricity Authority]] (1955–57), [[Central Electricity Generating Board]] (1958–60)
| owner = Oldham Corporation<br>''(1894–1948)''<br>[[British Electricity Authority]]<br>''(1948–1955)''<br>[[Central Electricity Authority]]<br>''(1955–1957)''<br>[[Central Electricity Generating Board]]<br>''(1958–1960)''
| operator = As owner
| operator = As owner
| employees =
| employees =
Line 18: Line 19:
| ps_cooling_towers = 5
| ps_cooling_towers = 5
| ps_cooling_source = Circulating cooling water
| ps_cooling_source = Circulating cooling water
| ps_units_operational = 2 x 6.6 MW, 1 x 4 MW
| ps_units_operational = 2 x 6.6 MW, 1 x 4 MW
| ps_units_manu_model = Metropolitan-Vickers
| ps_units_manu_model = Metropolitan-Vickers
| ps_electrical_capacity = 17.2 MW
| ps_electrical_capacity = 17.2 MW
Line 25: Line 26:
}}
}}


'''Greenhill power station''' supplied electricity to the town of [[Oldham]], England and the surrounding area from 1921 to 1960. It replaced the older '''Rhodes Bank''' generating station and was superseded by [[Chadderton Power Station|Chadderton B power station]]. Greenhill power station was owned and operated by Oldham Corporation until the [[nationalisation]] of the British electricity supply industry in 1948.  The power station was built over the period 1921–24 and was decommissioned in 1960.
'''Greenhill power station''' supplied electricity to the town of [[Oldham]], England and the surrounding area from 1921 to 1960. It replaced the older '''Rhodes Bank''' generating station and was superseded by [[Chadderton Power Station|Chadderton B power station]]. Greenhill power station was owned and operated by Oldham Corporation until the [[nationalisation]] of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was built over the period 1921–24 and was decommissioned in 1960.


== History ==
==History==
In 1890 Oldham Corporation applied for a Provisional Order under the [[Electric Lighting Acts 1882 to 1909|''Electric Lighting Acts'']] to generate and supply electricity to the town. This was granted by the [[Board of Trade]] and was confirmed by Parliament through the ''Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 3) Act 1890'' (54 & 55 Vict. c. clxxxviii).<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Local Acts 1890|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/changes/chron-tables/local/96|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=20 October 2020|website=Legislation.gov.uk}}</ref> The power station was built in Gas Street at '''Rhodes Bank''' (53°32'24"N 2°06'22"W)<ref name=":0">Ordnance Survey ''25-inch England Lancashire XCVIII.6 (Oldham; Royton)'' published 1922.</ref> and first supplied electricity on 20 March 1894.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Garcke|first=Emile|title=Manual of Electrical Undertakings 1898-99 vol. 3|publisher=P. S. King and Son|year=1898|isbn=|location=London|pages=276–78}}</ref>
In 1890 Oldham Corporation applied for a Provisional Order under the [[Electric Lighting Acts 1882 to 1909|''Electric Lighting Acts'']] to generate and supply electricity to the town. This was granted by the [[Board of Trade]] and was confirmed by Parliament through the ''Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 3) Act 1890'' (54 & 55 Vict. c. clxxxviii).<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Local Acts 1890|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/changes/chron-tables/local/96|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=20 October 2020|website=Legislation.gov.uk}}</ref> The power station was built in Gas Street at '''Rhodes Bank''' (53°32'24"N 2°06'22"W)<ref name=":0">Ordnance Survey ''25-inch England Lancashire XCVIII.6 (Oldham; Royton)'' published 1922.</ref> and first supplied electricity on 20 March 1894.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Garcke|first=Emile|title=Manual of Electrical Undertakings 1898-99 vol. 3|publisher=P. S. King and Son|year=1898|isbn=|location=London|pages=276–78}}</ref>


Following the First World War the demand for electricity was outpacing the available supply. Oldham Corporation built Greenhill power station adjacent to the railway in Churchill Street East (53°32'21"N 2°06'12"W).<ref name=":0" /> Greenhill station was first commissioned in 1921 with further generating sets commissioned in 1923 and 1924. In addition Oldham Corporation built another electricity generating station at '''Slacks Valley''' known as Chadderton power station which was first commissioned in November 1929.
Following the First World War the demand for electricity was outpacing the available supply. Oldham Corporation built Greenhill power station adjacent to the railway in Churchill Street East (53°32'21"N 2°06'12"W).<ref name=":0" /> Greenhill station was first commissioned in 1921 with further generating sets commissioned in 1923 and 1924. In addition Oldham Corporation built another electricity generating station at '''Slacks Valley''' known as Chadderton power station which was first commissioned in November 1929.


== Equipment specification ==
==Equipment specification==
⚫
===Rhodes Bank plant 1898===
⚫
The original plant at Rhodes Bank power station comprised Willans engines and Charlesworth Hall and Siemens dynamos.<ref name=":1" /> To maintain supplies at times of peak demand Crompton-Howell and EPS accumulators were provided. Electricity supplies commenced on 20 March 1894. In 1898 the generating capacity was 657&nbsp;kW and the maximum load was 413&nbsp;kW. By 1898 {{convert|9,330|yd|m}} of electricity mains had been laid.<ref name=":1" />


=== Rhodes Bank plant 1898 ===
===Greenhill plant 1923===
⚫
The original plant at Rhodes Bank power station comprised Willans engines and Charlesworth Hall and Siemens dynamos.<ref name=":1" /> To maintain supplies at times of peak demand Crompton-Howell and EPS accumulators were provided. Electricity supplies commenced on 20 March 1894. In 1898 the generating capacity was 657 kW and the maximum load was 413 kW. By 1898 9,330 yards (8,531 m) of electricity mains had been laid.<ref name=":1" />

=== Greenhill plant 1923 ===
In 1923 the generating plant at Greenhill power station comprised:<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Electricity Commissioners|title=Electricity Supply – 1920–23|publisher=HMSO|year=1925|isbn=|location=London|pages=70–73, 308–313}}</ref>
In 1923 the generating plant at Greenhill power station comprised:<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Electricity Commissioners|title=Electricity Supply – 1920–23|publisher=HMSO|year=1925|isbn=|location=London|pages=70–73, 308–313}}</ref>


* Coal-fired boilers producing up to 383,500 lb/h (48.3 kg/s) of steam.  Coal was delivered to the power station via a dedicated railway siding.<ref name=":0" /> Steam was supplied to:
* Coal-fired boilers producing up to 383,500&nbsp;lb/h (48.3&nbsp;kg/s) of steam.  Coal was delivered to the power station via a dedicated railway siding.<ref name=":0" /> Steam was supplied to:
* Generators:
* Generators:
** 1 × 2,000 kW steam [[Alternator|turbo-alternator]]
** 1 × 2,000&nbsp;kW steam [[Alternator|turbo-alternator]]
** 2 × 3,000 kW steam turbo-alternators
** 2 × 3,000&nbsp;kW steam turbo-alternators
** 2 × 6,000 kW steam turbo-alternators
** 2 × 6,000&nbsp;kW steam turbo-alternators


These machines gave a total output of 20,000 kW of [[alternating current]].<ref name=":2" />
These machines gave a total output of 20,000&nbsp;kW of [[alternating current]].<ref name=":2" />


A variety of electricity supplies were available to consumers:
A variety of electricity supplies were available to consumers:


* 3-phase, 50 Hz AC at 400 and 230 Volts
* 3-phase, 50&nbsp;Hz AC at 400 and 230 Volts
* Direct current 420 and 210 Volts
* Direct current 420 and 210 Volts
* Direct current Traction supply 500 Volts
* Direct current Traction supply 500 Volts


=== Greenhill plant 1954–1958 ===
===Greenhill plant 1954–1958===
In 1954 the plant at Greenhill power station comprised:<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last=Garrett|first=Frederick|title=Garcke's Manual of Electricity Supply vol. 56|publisher=Electrical Press|year=1959|isbn=|location=London|pages=A-58, A-121, B-213}}</ref>
In 1954 the plant at Greenhill power station comprised:<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last=Garrett|first=Frederick|title=Garcke's Manual of Electricity Supply vol. 56|publisher=Electrical Press|year=1959|isbn=|location=London|pages=A-58, A-121, B-213}}</ref>


* Boilers:
* Boilers:
** 3 × 25,000 lb/h (3.15 kg/s) [[Babcock & Wilcox]] boilers with chain grate stokers
** 3 × 25,000&nbsp;lb/h (3.15&nbsp;kg/s) [[Babcock & Wilcox]] boilers with chain grate stokers
** 2 × 15,000 lb/h (1.9 kg/s) Babcock & Wilcox [[Boiler|boilers]] with chain grate stokers
** 2 × 15,000&nbsp;lb/h (1.9&nbsp;kg/s) Babcock & Wilcox [[boiler]]s with chain grate stokers
** 4 × 10,000 lb/h (1.26 kg/s) Babcock & Wilcox boilers with chain grate stokers
** 4 × 10,000&nbsp;lb/h (1.26&nbsp;kg/s) Babcock & Wilcox boilers with chain grate stokers


The boilers had a total evaporative capacity of 145,000 lb/h (18.3 kg/s), [[steam]] conditions were 200 [[Pounds per square inch|psi]] and 650°F (13.8 [[Bar (unit)|bar]], 343°C),<ref name=":3" /> which was supplied to:
The boilers had a total evaporative capacity of 145,000&nbsp;lb/h (18.3&nbsp;kg/s), [[steam]] conditions were 200 [[Pounds per square inch|psi]] and 650&nbsp;°F (13.8 [[Bar (unit)|bar]], 343&nbsp;°C),<ref name=":3" /> which was supplied to:


* Turbo-alternators:
* Turbo-alternators:
Line 72: Line 72:
There were also:
There were also:


* 2 × 500 kW GEC motor generators
* 2 × 500&nbsp;kW GEC motor generators
* 1 × 1.25 MW [[Westinghouse Electric Corporation|Westinghouse]] rotary convertor
* 1 × 1.25 MW [[Westinghouse Electric Corporation|Westinghouse]] [[rotary convertor]]
* 3 × 1.5 MW Westinghouse rotary convertors<ref name=":3" />
* 3 × 1.5 MW Westinghouse rotary convertors<ref name=":3" />


Condenser cooling water was cooled in five Premier chimney type cooling towers with a capacity of 1.36 million gallons per hour (1.7 m<sup>3</sup>/s).<ref name=":3" />
Condenser cooling water was cooled in five Premier chimney type cooling towers with a capacity of 1.36 million gallons per hour (1.7 m<sup>3</sup>/s).<ref name=":3" />


== Operations ==
==Operations==
===Rhodes Bank operations 1898===

⚫
=== Rhodes Bank operations 1898 ===
In 1898 and there were 213 customers supplied with a total of 305,859 kWh of electricity plus 16,444 kWh for public lighting. The sale of electricity provided revenue of £5,862 for Oldham Corporation against a generating cost of £1,486.<ref name=":1" />
In 1898 and there were 213 customers supplied with a total of 305,859 kWh of electricity plus 16,444 kWh for public lighting. The sale of electricity provided revenue of £5,862 for Oldham Corporation against a generating cost of £1,486.<ref name=":1" />


=== Greenhill operations 1921–23 ===
===Greenhill operations 1921–23===
The operating data for the period 1921–23 was:<ref name=":2" />
The operating data for the period 1921–23 was:<ref name=":2" />
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Greenhill power station operating data 1921–23
|+Greenhill power station operating data 1921–23
! rowspan="2" |Electricity Use
! rowspan="2" |Electricity Use
! rowspan="2" |Units
! rowspan="2" |Units
! colspan="3" |Year
! colspan="3" |Year
Line 95: Line 94:
!1923
!1923
|-
|-
|Lighting and domestic
|Lighting and domestic
|MWh
|MWh
|2,879
|2,879
Line 101: Line 100:
|3,823
|3,823
|-
|-
|Public lighting
|Public lighting
|MWh
|MWh
|83
|83
Line 119: Line 118:
|20,901
|20,901
|-
|-
|Total use
|Total use
|MWh
|MWh
|18,340
|18,340
Line 125: Line 124:
|29,832
|29,832
|-
|-
! colspan="5" |Load and connected load
! colspan="5" |Load and connected load
|-
|-
|Maximum load
|Maximum load
|kW
|kW
|10,996
|10,996
Line 133: Line 132:
|16,260
|16,260
|-
|-
|Total connections
|Total connections
|kW
|kW
|16,555
|16,555
Line 139: Line 138:
|21,387
|21,387
|-
|-
|Load factor
|Load factor
|Per cent
|Per cent
|24.3
|24.3
|22.0
|22.0
Line 147: Line 146:
! colspan="5" |Financial
! colspan="5" |Financial
|-
|-
|Revenue from sales of current
|Revenue from sales of current
|£
|£
|–
|–
Line 153: Line 152:
|29,833
|29,833
|-
|-
|Surplus of revenue over expenses
|Surplus of revenue over expenses
|£
|£
|–
|–
Line 159: Line 158:
|94,597
|94,597
|}
|}
Under the terms of the ''Electricity (Supply) Act 1926'' (16 & 17 Geo. 5 c. 51)<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Electricity (Supply) Act 1926|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo5/16-17/51/contents/enacted|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=20 October 2020|website=Legislation.gov.uk}}</ref> the [[Central Electricity Board]] (CEB) was established in 1926.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last=Electricity Council|title=Electricity supply in the United Kingdom: a Chronology|publisher=Electricity Council|year=1987|isbn=085188105X|location=London|pages=45, 60, 69, 73}}</ref> The CEB identified high efficiency ‘selected’ power stations that would supply electricity most effectively; Greenhill was designated a selected station. The CEB also constructed the [[National Grid (Great Britain)|national grid]] (1927–33) to connect power stations within a region. Oldham Greenhill became part of one of the three grid rings in Lancashire. This local ring connected Oldham, Manchester, Tame Valley and Stockport.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hannah|first=Leslie|title=Electricity before Nationalisation|publisher=Macmillan|year=1979|isbn=0333220862|location=London|pages=121}}</ref>
Under the terms of the ''Electricity (Supply) Act 1926'' (16 & 17 Geo. 5 c. 51)<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Electricity (Supply) Act 1926|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo5/16-17/51/contents/enacted|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=20 October 2020|website=Legislation.gov.uk}}</ref> the [[Central Electricity Board]] (CEB) was established in 1926.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last=Electricity Council|title=Electricity supply in the United Kingdom: a Chronology|publisher=Electricity Council|year=1987|isbn=085188105X|location=London|pages=45, 60, 69, 73}}</ref> The CEB identified high efficiency ‘selected’ power stations that would supply electricity most effectively; Greenhill was designated a selected station. The CEB also constructed the [[National Grid (Great Britain)|national grid]] (1927–33) to connect power stations within a region. Oldham Greenhill became part of one of the three grid rings in Lancashire. This local ring connected Oldham, Manchester, Tame Valley and Stockport.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hannah|first=Leslie|title=Electricity before Nationalisation|publisher=Macmillan|year=1979|isbn=0333220862|location=London|pages=121}}</ref>


=== Greenhill operations 1946 ===
===Greenhill operations 1946===
Greenhill power station operating data for 1946 is given below, data for Chadderton power station is shown for comparison:<ref>{{Cite book|last=Electricity Commissioners|title=Generation of Electricity in Great Britain year ended 31 December 1946|publisher=HMSO|year=1947|isbn=|location=London|pages=12}}</ref>
Greenhill power station operating data for 1946 is given below, data for Chadderton power station is shown for comparison:<ref>{{Cite book|last=Electricity Commissioners|title=Generation of Electricity in Great Britain year ended 31 December 1946|publisher=HMSO|year=1947|isbn=|location=London|pages=12}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
Line 167: Line 166:
!Station
!Station
!Load factor per cent
!Load factor per cent
!Max output load MW
!Max output load MW
!Electricity supplied GWh
!Electricity supplied GWh
!Thermal efficiency per cent
!Thermal efficiency per cent
Line 184: Line 183:
|}
|}


=== Nationalisation ===
===Nationalisation===
The British electricity supply industry was [[Nationalization|nationalised]] in 1948 under the provisions of the ''Electricity Act 1947'' (10 & 11 Geo. 6 c. 54).<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Electricity Act 1947|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo6/10-11/54/contents/enacted|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=20 October 2020|website=Legislation.gov.uk}}</ref> The Oldham electricity undertaking was abolished, ownership of Greenhill power station was vested in the [[British Electricity Authority]], and subsequently the [[Central Electricity Authority]] and the [[Central Electricity Generating Board]] (CEGB).<ref name=":4" /> At the same time the electricity distribution and sales responsibilities of the Oldham electricity undertaking were transferred to the North Western Electricity Board (NORWEB).
The British electricity supply industry was [[Nationalization|nationalised]] in 1948 under the provisions of the ''Electricity Act 1947'' (10 & 11 Geo. 6 c. 54).<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Electricity Act 1947|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo6/10-11/54/contents/enacted|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=20 October 2020|website=Legislation.gov.uk}}</ref> The Oldham electricity undertaking was abolished, ownership of Greenhill power station was vested in the [[British Electricity Authority]], and subsequently the [[Central Electricity Authority]] and the [[Central Electricity Generating Board]] (CEGB).<ref name=":4" /> At the same time the electricity distribution and sales responsibilities of the Oldham electricity undertaking were transferred to the North Western Electricity Board (NORWEB).


=== Greenhill operations 1954–58 ===
===Greenhill operations 1954–58===
Operating data for the period 1954–58 was:<ref name=":3" />
Operating data for the period 1954–58 was:<ref name=":3" />
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
Line 228: Line 227:
|}
|}


=== Oldham electricity supply district ===
===Oldham electricity supply district===
The Oldham electricity supply district, covered an area of 29 square miles (75 square km) and included the County Borough of Oldham, the borough of Middleton, and the districts of Chadderton, Crompton, Lees, and Royton. It served a population of 215,800 (1958). The number of consumers and electricity sold was:<ref name=":3" />
The Oldham electricity supply district, covered an area of {{convert|29|mi2|km2|abbr=off}} and included the County Borough of Oldham, the borough of Middleton, and the districts of Chadderton, Crompton, Lees, and Royton. It served a population of 215,800 (1958). The number of consumers and electricity sold was:<ref name=":3" />
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Year
Line 248: Line 247:
In 1958 the number of units sold to categories of consumers was:<ref name=":3" />
In 1958 the number of units sold to categories of consumers was:<ref name=":3" />
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Type of consumer'''
! Type of consumer
|'''No. of consumers'''
! No. of consumers
|'''Electricity sold MWh'''
! Electricity sold MWh
|-
|-
|Residential
|Residential
Line 256: Line 255:
|92,706
|92,706
|-
|-
|Shops, offices, etc
|Shops, offices, etc.
|4,139
|4,139
|23,306
|23,306
Line 280: Line 279:
|'''340,341'''
|'''340,341'''
|}
|}
There were 747 miles (1,202 km) of high voltage mains in the district comprising 728 miles (1,172 km) of underground mains and 19 miles (30.6 km) of overhead cables.<ref name=":3" />
There were {{convert|747|mi|km}} of high voltage mains in the district comprising {{convert|728|mi|km}} of underground mains and {{convert|19|mi|km}} of overhead cables.<ref name=":3" />


=== Closure ===
===Closure===
Greenhill power station was decommissioned in 1960.<ref>Greenhill power station is not mentioned in CEGB Annual reports 1961-63</ref> The buildings were subsequently demolished although a working substation remains on the site.
Greenhill power station was decommissioned in 1960.<ref>Greenhill power station is not mentioned in CEGB Annual reports 1961-63</ref> The buildings were subsequently demolished although a working substation remains on the site.


== See also ==
==See also==

* [[Timeline of the UK electricity supply industry]]
* [[Timeline of the UK electricity supply industry]]
* [[List of power stations in England]]
* [[List of power stations in England]]
* [[Chadderton Power Station]]
* [[Chadderton Power Station]]


== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{North West Power Stations}}


[[Category:Coal-fired power stations in England]]
[[Category:Coal-fired power stations in England]]

Latest revision as of 17:44, 29 April 2024

Greenhill power station
Map
CountryEngland
LocationOldham
Coordinates53°32′21″N 02°06′22″W / 53.53917°N 2.10611°W / 53.53917; -2.10611
StatusDecommissioned and demolished
Commission date1921
Decommission date1960
Owner(s)Oldham Corporation
(1894–1948)
British Electricity Authority
(1948–1955)
Central Electricity Authority
(1955–1957)
Central Electricity Generating Board
(1958–1960)
Operator(s)As owner
Thermal power station
Primary fuelCoal
Turbine technologySteam turbines
Cooling towers5
Cooling sourceCirculating cooling water
Power generation
Units operational2 x 6.6 MW, 1 x 4 MW
Make and modelMetropolitan-Vickers
Nameplate capacity17.2 MW
Annual net output23.12 GWh (1946)
[edit on Wikidata]

Greenhill power station supplied electricity to the town of Oldham, England and the surrounding area from 1921 to 1960. It replaced the older Rhodes Bank generating station and was superseded by Chadderton B power station. Greenhill power station was owned and operated by Oldham Corporation until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was built over the period 1921–24 and was decommissioned in 1960.

History[edit]

In 1890 Oldham Corporation applied for a Provisional Order under the Electric Lighting Acts to generate and supply electricity to the town. This was granted by the Board of Trade and was confirmed by Parliament through the Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 3) Act 1890 (54 & 55 Vict. c. clxxxviii).[1] The power station was built in Gas Street at Rhodes Bank (53°32'24"N 2°06'22"W)[2] and first supplied electricity on 20 March 1894.[3]

Following the First World War the demand for electricity was outpacing the available supply. Oldham Corporation built Greenhill power station adjacent to the railway in Churchill Street East (53°32'21"N 2°06'12"W).[2] Greenhill station was first commissioned in 1921 with further generating sets commissioned in 1923 and 1924. In addition Oldham Corporation built another electricity generating station at Slacks Valley known as Chadderton power station which was first commissioned in November 1929.

Equipment specification[edit]

Rhodes Bank plant 1898[edit]

The original plant at Rhodes Bank power station comprised Willans engines and Charlesworth Hall and Siemens dynamos.[3] To maintain supplies at times of peak demand Crompton-Howell and EPS accumulators were provided. Electricity supplies commenced on 20 March 1894. In 1898 the generating capacity was 657 kW and the maximum load was 413 kW. By 1898 9,330 yards (8,530 m) of electricity mains had been laid.[3]

Greenhill plant 1923[edit]

In 1923 the generating plant at Greenhill power station comprised:[4]

  • Coal-fired boilers producing up to 383,500 lb/h (48.3 kg/s) of steam.  Coal was delivered to the power station via a dedicated railway siding.[2] Steam was supplied to:
  • Generators:
    • 1 × 2,000 kW steam turbo-alternator
    • 2 × 3,000 kW steam turbo-alternators
    • 2 × 6,000 kW steam turbo-alternators

These machines gave a total output of 20,000 kW of alternating current.[4]

A variety of electricity supplies were available to consumers:

  • 3-phase, 50 Hz AC at 400 and 230 Volts
  • Direct current 420 and 210 Volts
  • Direct current Traction supply 500 Volts

Greenhill plant 1954–1958[edit]

In 1954 the plant at Greenhill power station comprised:[5]

  • Boilers:
    • 3 × 25,000 lb/h (3.15 kg/s) Babcock & Wilcox boilers with chain grate stokers
    • 2 × 15,000 lb/h (1.9 kg/s) Babcock & Wilcox boilers with chain grate stokers
    • 4 × 10,000 lb/h (1.26 kg/s) Babcock & Wilcox boilers with chain grate stokers

The boilers had a total evaporative capacity of 145,000 lb/h (18.3 kg/s), steam conditions were 200 psi and 650 °F (13.8 bar, 343 °C),[5] which was supplied to:

  • Turbo-alternators:
    • 2 × 6.6 MW Metropolitan-Vickers turbo-alternators, generating at 6.6 kV
    • 1 × 4 MW Metropolitan-Vickers turbo-alternator, generating at 6.6 kV

The installed capacity was 17.2 MW with an output capacity of 10 MW.

There were also:

Condenser cooling water was cooled in five Premier chimney type cooling towers with a capacity of 1.36 million gallons per hour (1.7 m3/s).[5]

Operations[edit]

Rhodes Bank operations 1898[edit]

In 1898 and there were 213 customers supplied with a total of 305,859 kWh of electricity plus 16,444 kWh for public lighting. The sale of electricity provided revenue of £5,862 for Oldham Corporation against a generating cost of £1,486.[3]

Greenhill operations 1921–23[edit]

The operating data for the period 1921–23 was:[4]

Greenhill power station operating data 1921–23
Electricity Use Units Year
1921 1922 1923
Lighting and domestic MWh 2,879 3,162 3,823
Public lighting MWh 83 90 166
Traction MWh 4,225 4,669 4,943
Power MWh 11,153 14,325 20,901
Total use MWh 18,340 22,246 29,832
Load and connected load
Maximum load kW 10,996 14,187 16,260
Total connections kW 16,555 19,985 21,387
Load factor Per cent 24.3 22.0 25.7
Financial
Revenue from sales of current £ – 166,875 29,833
Surplus of revenue over expenses £ – 52,271 94,597

Under the terms of the Electricity (Supply) Act 1926 (16 & 17 Geo. 5 c. 51)[6] the Central Electricity Board (CEB) was established in 1926.[7] The CEB identified high efficiency ‘selected’ power stations that would supply electricity most effectively; Greenhill was designated a selected station. The CEB also constructed the national grid (1927–33) to connect power stations within a region. Oldham Greenhill became part of one of the three grid rings in Lancashire. This local ring connected Oldham, Manchester, Tame Valley and Stockport.[8]

Greenhill operations 1946[edit]

Greenhill power station operating data for 1946 is given below, data for Chadderton power station is shown for comparison:[9]

Greenhill and Chadderton power station operating data, 1946
Station Load factor per cent Max output load MW Electricity supplied GWh Thermal efficiency per cent
Greenhill 27.8 21,040 23.119 12.02
Chadderton 32.0 39,959 97,910 17.14

Nationalisation[edit]

The British electricity supply industry was nationalised in 1948 under the provisions of the Electricity Act 1947 (10 & 11 Geo. 6 c. 54).[10] The Oldham electricity undertaking was abolished, ownership of Greenhill power station was vested in the British Electricity Authority, and subsequently the Central Electricity Authority and the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB).[7] At the same time the electricity distribution and sales responsibilities of the Oldham electricity undertaking were transferred to the North Western Electricity Board (NORWEB).

Greenhill operations 1954–58[edit]

Operating data for the period 1954–58 was:[5]

Greenhill power station operating data, 1954–58
Year Running hours Max output capacity  MW Electricity supplied GWh Thermal efficiency per cent
1954 2729 15 21.818 11.19
1955 2594 15 18.566 11.13
1956 1977 15 15.874 11.528
1957 2533 10 16.424 11.074
1958 2295 10 12.327 10.809

Oldham electricity supply district[edit]

The Oldham electricity supply district, covered an area of 29 square miles (75 square kilometres) and included the County Borough of Oldham, the borough of Middleton, and the districts of Chadderton, Crompton, Lees, and Royton. It served a population of 215,800 (1958). The number of consumers and electricity sold was:[5]

Year 1956 1957 1958
Number of consumers 80,348 82,001 83,476
Electricity sold MWh 287,017 313,355 340,341

In 1958 the number of units sold to categories of consumers was:[5]

Type of consumer No. of consumers Electricity sold MWh
Residential 74,909 92,706
Shops, offices, etc. 4,139 23,306
Combined premises 3,086 10,407
Factories 1,116 209,539
Farms 220 1,109
Public lighting 6 3,274
Total 83,476 340,341

There were 747 miles (1,202 km) of high voltage mains in the district comprising 728 miles (1,172 km) of underground mains and 19 miles (31 km) of overhead cables.[5]

Closure[edit]

Greenhill power station was decommissioned in 1960.[11] The buildings were subsequently demolished although a working substation remains on the site.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Local Acts 1890". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Ordnance Survey 25-inch England Lancashire XCVIII.6 (Oldham; Royton) published 1922.
  3. ^ a b c d Garcke, Emile (1898). Manual of Electrical Undertakings 1898-99 vol. 3. London: P. S. King and Son. pp. 276–78.
  4. ^ a b c Electricity Commissioners (1925). Electricity Supply – 1920–23. London: HMSO. pp. 70–73, 308–313.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Garrett, Frederick (1959). Garcke's Manual of Electricity Supply vol. 56. London: Electrical Press. pp. A-58, A-121, B-213.
  6. ^ "Electricity (Supply) Act 1926". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  7. ^ a b Electricity Council (1987). Electricity supply in the United Kingdom: a Chronology. London: Electricity Council. pp. 45, 60, 69, 73. ISBN 085188105X.
  8. ^ Hannah, Leslie (1979). Electricity before Nationalisation. London: Macmillan. p. 121. ISBN 0333220862.
  9. ^ Electricity Commissioners (1947). Generation of Electricity in Great Britain year ended 31 December 1946. London: HMSO. p. 12.
  10. ^ "Electricity Act 1947". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  11. ^ Greenhill power station is not mentioned in CEGB Annual reports 1961-63
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