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A time-sequenced A time-sequenced presentation of the history presentation of the history of the national gridof the national grid Stuart NicholsonStuart Nicholson

Tony SilkeTony Silke

Richard DonaldsonRichard Donaldson

A presentation to the Engineering Heritage Workshop, Wellington August 2004

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What is the national grid?What is the national grid?

• Transmission of electric power

• from large power stations

• to line companies, and

• to large industrial users.

• Includes the HVDC link.

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Who are we?Who are we?• Electricity Transmission Heritage of NZ Inc

• Collecting and making available resources for study of the historical development of the New Zealand electricity transmission system

• Membership mainly drawn to date from Transpower staff, contractors, and consultants

• Strong sponsorship from Transpower executive

• Gathering also from non-transmission sources

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How to tell the story? How to tell the story? • Depicting grid development

• The grid has grown from 1915 to today and is continuing to develop

• We have collected data going back to the beginnings

• A visual display of this growth

• Use Power Point to give one slide per year?

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Source materialSource material

• Network drawings & maps from Transpower record system

• Records of all circuit-breakers and power transformers

• Histories (see references)

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Network drawing sample c. 1925Network drawing sample c. 1925

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Network on NZ map from 1940sNetwork on NZ map from 1940s

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Network drawing sampleNetwork drawing sample

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A first mock upA first mock up

to demonstrate the concept

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1935

OAM

HWB

Otago joined to Canterbury

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1938

Southland joined to Otago & Westland joined to Canterbury.

Diesel ex-LYT at DOB

BWRDOB ALD

HWBGOR

COL

AHA

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1939

BOP joined to NI Grid & WC Generation joined to SI Grid

MST

UHTAssume UHT not yet connected to KHD

DOB

AHA

ARI

EDG

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1940

MPEKTA

KTA joined at 50 kV to Wairua Falls generation near MPE.

Reinforcement of supply to Auckland from ARI PAK

ARI

PEN

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Cleaned up and checked Cleaned up and checked by Hayley Graceby Hayley Grace

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Click to edit Master title styleClick to edit Master title style

• Click to edit Master text styles– Second level

• Third level– Fourth level

» Fifth level

1954

KAW

EDG

HAY

BPE

IGH

WMG

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Click to edit Master title styleClick to edit Master title style

• Click to edit Master text styles– Second level

• Third level– Fourth level

» Fifth level

1955

IGH

KIK

STK

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Click to edit Master title styleClick to edit Master title style

• Click to edit Master text styles– Second level

• Third level– Fourth level

» Fifth level

1956ARI-EDG B 110 kV

First SI 220 kV

ROX

ISL

ARIEDG

ALB

HEN

HTI

HAM

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Click to edit Master title styleClick to edit Master title style

• Click to edit Master text styles– Second level

• Third level– Fourth level

» Fifth level

1957

PTI

GIS

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Click to edit Master title styleClick to edit Master title style

• Click to edit Master text styles– Second level

• Third level– Fourth level

» Fifth level

1958BOB-MER A 110 kV

BOB-OTA A 110 kV

ROTTRK

KIK

ISL

WMG

WPT

WKM

WRK

ATI

BOB

MER

OTA

MTM

TMI

TGA

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Things we learntThings we learnt

• Finding accurate information is essential

• Attracting attention to the display

• Social commentary– Relate development to the era– Show relationship of development to history

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On display at the Linemen’s On display at the Linemen’s reunion 22-24 November 2002reunion 22-24 November 2002

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Learnings from this versionLearnings from this version• Not eye-catching

• Slow moving

• Minimal commentary

• Minimal relating to NZ historical events and social developments

• Not suitable for a public venue

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Transpower interest in its useTranspower interest in its use

• For training

• The move to Transpower House

• Public appeal – www.

• Offer to develop with professional assistance

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Origin Design inputOrigin Design input

• Using Flash instead of PowerPoint

• Interactive

• www compatibility

• Plasma display in foyer of Transpower House

• PC file also provided

• Style

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Run some of D:\Grid Preso Flash\normal.exe

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Drivers for ETHDrivers for ETH

• Database record

• Social comment

• Offering value to Transpower – Our patron– Funding– Name/status/recognition for ETH

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Application elsewhereApplication elsewhere

• National highway

• Railways

• Telecom network

• Ports & coastal shipping

• Water supply on a regional basis

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Characteristics of the displayCharacteristics of the display

• Visual

• Time-sequenced

• Map-based

• Auto or manual operation

• Source files can be more detailed

• Can be put on the web (www)

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Who benefits?Who benefits?

• Transpower as a corporate citizen

• ETH output

• Engineering research tool/database

• Reunions – stimulus to memory

• Highlights gaps in knowledge!

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ReferencesReferences• Transpower drawing records system

• Transpower equipment record files

• NZED equipment database conceived, prepared, and maintained by Ron Jane on the “Vogel Computer”

• White Diamonds

• (Power board history)

• Power Politics & People

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AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

• Transpower

• Hayley Grace

• The Linemen’s Reunion

• Origin Design