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W I N D A N D H Y D R O E L E C T R I C

P O W E R S T A T I O N S
Onslow Dam RL 683m
THE TEVIOT SCHEME
Horseshoe Bend Wind
Pioneer Generation Ltd own, operate and maintain companies, providing the only source of electrical THE FIRST MENTION OF 3x 750kW

Hydro Electric power stations throughout Central energy to the region until connection to the national grid ELECTRICITY IN THE TEVIOT Horseshoe Bend
Dam RL 593m
Otago and Southland. The trust owned company was in 1957. The company’s history is long established with REGION WAS IN 1896 WHEN Tunnel

previously known as Central Electric Ltd, until the its predecessors leading the way in hydro development ELECTRIC LIGHTS WERE Michelle Powerhouse Head Pond RL 293m
Pipeline No. 7 Machine 1.6MW
Electricity Reforms of 1998 enforced the sale of parts of from the early 1900’s. USED BY THE ROXBURGH Horseshoe Bend Race
Powerhouse 4.3MW Penstock
the business. The generation division was retained and AMALGAMATED MINING Marslin Dam
RL374m Pipeline
renamed Pioneer Generation Ltd. The company’s head The latest hydro station to be built and commissioned AND SLUICING COMPANY’S Tun
nel George Powerhouse

e
Teviot Bridge & Ellis

lin
No. 1 Machine

pe
office is in Alexandra with staff working from an office by the company is the Falls Station 10kms east of St CLAIMS AT ROXBURGH EAST. Powerhouse No.4

Pi
Kowhai 1000kW Machin 1125kW
in Ranfurly and stations at Teviot and Monowai. Bathans. TIC Intake Weir No’s. 5 & 6 Machines
6.8MW
THE PLANT WAS DESCRIBED RL 301m

Many of the small hydro electric power schemes In 2009 Pioneer constructed and commissioned a small, AS CONSISTING OF A 110- Teviot River

owned by the company were developed originally in 3 tower, windfarm. The windfarm is situated adjacent to VOLT DYNAMO, DRIVEN BY Clutha River

cooperation with gold mining, dredging and irrigation the Horseshoe Bend hydro station at Teviot. A PELTON WHEEL, WHICH
PROVIDED POWER FOR
TWO ARC LAMPS OF 3,000
CANDLE-POWER EACH. THE
FIRST INSTALLATION FOR LAKE ONSLOW THE TEVIOT

St Bathans DOMESTIC POWER SUPPLY


Ranfurly The water to power the Teviot River stations originates from Lake Onslow, which is
7 IS BELIEVED TO BE AT TEVIOT
Glenorchy
2 STATION IN 1901-02. situated high in the Lammerlaw Range, 38 km from Roxburgh.
1 Cromwell
Queenstown The original stone dam at Lake Onslow was built in the 1890’s. In the early 1980’s a new
LITTLE IS KNOWN OF THIS
Alexandra dam was constructed at Lake Onslow, which raised the level of the lake by 5 metres and
4 PLANT, ONLY THAT IT WAS drowned the original dam. At the same time the Marslin Intake Dam was constructed
3 SOLD TO AN ORCHARDIST further down the Teviot River to control the water intake to the new power stations
Roxburgh
IN 1916. THE FORMATION (Michelle and Ellis) constructed during this period. In 1984 a 2kVA rated output machine
5 Dunedin GENERATION STATIONS OF A TEVIOT PUBLIC was installed at Lake Onslow to provide power for control equipment and servicing of
1. Glenorchy Station ELECTRICITY SUPPLY WAS the Lake Onslow Dam.
Te Anau
MOOTED IN 1920, PROPOSING
Lumsden 2. Roaring Meg Scheme
Manapouri
TO USE THE TEVIOT RIVER
3. Wye Creek Station AS A SOURCE, PROVIDING
Lake Monowai 6
Balclutha FA C T F I L E
4. Fraser Station BOTH ELECTRICITY AND AN
Gore IRRIGATION SCHEME. ON
5. Teviot Scheme Commissioning Date — 1984 Overall Length — 66m
MARCH 27, 1924, ELECTRICITY Operating Head — 9.5m Radius — 40m
6. Monowai Station WAS OFFICIALLY TURNED
Output — 1.8kW Crest Height — 12.8m
Invercargill
7. Falls Station ON, WITH POWER FROM THE
Turbine — Cross-flow (built in house) Crest Length — 38.425m
GEORGE STATION.
Generator — Induction ASEA Storage Capacity — 19,000 Day Heads
Dam Type — Concrete Arch (46,491,079m3)
Crest RL — 685.12m
HORSESHOE BEND WIND THE TEVIOT MARSLIN DAM THE TEVIOT

Wind energy is a clean fuel – when operating, Teviot River Horseshoe Bend hydroelectric Work began on preparing the site for the Downstream and fed from The Onslow Dam, The Marslin Dam is the second reservoir on
wind farms produce no air or water pollution. station. Officials concluded that any effects turbines late 2008. the Teviot Scheme. During normal operation water is provided to the Michelle Station via a
Wind has been gaining favour in New on the environment were minimal. pipeline. In winter or other times of high-energy use extra water from the Marslin Dam is fed
Zealand because of growing concerns about to the lower Ellis Station via a tunnel, which bypasses the Michelle Station.
fossil fuel emissions and costs. There are three wind generators planned FA C T F I L E
for, with a maximum generation capacity of Completed in 1982, staff engineers undertook the design work for the 17m high arch dam. A
Many of the issues relating to hydro also 0.75 MW each. Each unit will be 67m in total Commissioned — October 2009 new technique for the time was employed in construction that involved the use of flat-plate
relate to wind. We believe Pioneer Generation height – based on a hub height of 45m and a Overall height (of each tower) — 69m hydraulic jacks being built into the central vertical construction joint in the dam sections.
is ideally positioned to participate in the rotor diameter of about 44m. After the concrete had cured 1,200 tonnes of pressure was applied by the jacks to force the
Hub height — 47m
growth of the wind generation industry in two sections apart and into the rock walls of the valley. The gap produced was then grouted to
New Zealand particularly at smaller scale The site is about 15km east of Roxburgh Rotor Diameter — 44m hold the dam in this position. This method produced a safer design, which used less concrete
sites with adequate wind resources that are between the existing Horseshoe Bend power Generation Capacity — 750 kW than a conventional arch dam.
close to local lines’ networks. station and dam, on the south side of the Manufactured by — NEG MICON
Teviot River. The wind turbine generators are M1500/750
Pioneer Generation was recently given to be placed on a plateau above the river, at a FA C T F I L E
resource consent by the Central Otago height of about 600 metres above sea level.
District Council to construct and operate Dam Type — Concrete Arch Crest Height — 14m
small-scale wind generation next to our Crest RL — 374m Crest Length — 24m
Overall Length — 32m Storage Capacity — 50 Day Heads
Radius — 25m (122,345m3)
HORSESHOE BEND HYDRO THE TEVIOT

Horseshoe Bend is a 4.3MW Hydro Electric station on the Teviot River, approximately 15km
east of Roxburgh. Horseshoe Bend is Pioneer’s 5th station to be built on the Teviot River. The
site is approximately 600m above sea level, and subject to severe weather conditions. FA C T F I L E
KOWHAI HYDRO THE TEVIOT

The dam is of unique construction, being the first roller compacted concrete dam in New Zealand. Commissioned — May 1999
Pioneer Generation proposes to construct be carried out prior to commissioning of the
It incorporates a stepped spillway on the downstream face. Twin 1600 diameter diversion pipes Dam Type — Roller Compacted Concrete a new hydroelectric power station on the project expected by May 2010.
within the dam are part of the permanent structure to be used for maintaining the required Crest RL — 593m Teviot River to produce an annual output
residual flow, and for draining the dam for maintenance. The 180m long tunnel was excavated of approximately 5.5 GWh. Pioneer plans The new pipeline will follow the route of the
Overall Height — 13m
through schist rock. This tunnel feeds the pipeline to the powerhouse with water from the dam. to begin construction early 2009 and have existing pipeline that supplies water to the
The majority of the 480m of pipeline bringing water to the penstock and powerhouse is buried Crest Length — 65m
electricity generation from the Kowhai Power Michelle Power Station from the Marslin Dam.
with the penstock being supported above ground on concrete pedestals. Storage Capacity — 60 Day Heads Station by May 2010.
(146,770m3) No adverse environmental effects are
The powerhouse itself is a steel framed structure on a reinforced concrete foundation, which Tunnel Length — 180m The site of the proposed power station is expected from the construction of the
includes support for the turbine and generating plant. The Turbine, supplied by Turab of approximately 3.5km east of Roxburgh scheme.
Tunnel Cross Section — 2.5 x 2.0m
Sweden, is a horizontal axis Francis turbine running at 600rpm. adjacent to the Teviot Irrigation Company
Tunnel Lining — Concrete
(TIC) Intake Weir on the Teviot River. The
The Generator, weighing 40 tonnes, was built by ABB in South Africa and generates at 6.6kV. The Net Head — 85.3m pipeline and penstock associated with the FA C T F I L E
energy generated is transformed to 33kV prior to being fed into the local distribution networks. Rated Output — 4315 kW power station runs from the Marslin Dam
Turbine — Turab Sweden some 1.5 km upstream. Commissioned (expected) — May 2010
The control system, which allows the station to run unattended and be operated remotely was (Horizontal Axis Francis) Over head (gross) — 73m
designed and built by Marlborough Electric Ltd. Physical works on the Kowhai Power
Generator — Synchronous Flow through station — 593m
Station would begin with access and site
(ABB South Africa) Overall Height — 3.4m3/sec
Five kilometres of new road were constructed to the site and 6 kilometres of existing road preparation. Construction of the pipeline
upgraded, including construction of culverts and cattle stops. Rated Power — 4000 kW and penstock, powerhouse foundations Machine No. 9
Rated Output — 5000 Kva and structure will then take place. In early Rated Output — 1933 kW
Any possible adverse environmental impact of such a construction has been kept to a minimum. ANNUAL GENERATION 17 GWh 2010 installation of the turbine & generators,
transformers, cabling & control systems will Turbine / Generator — WKV Germany
The result is aesthetically very pleasant. The dam itself has won a Caltex Construction Award
and was nominated for judgement before ACENZ and the NZ Concrete Society. ANNUAL GENERATION 5.5 GWh
MICHELLE HYDRO THE TEVIOT FA C T F I L E ELLIS HYDRO THE TEVIOT

The Michelle Station operates with one induction type machine of 1,600kW output, driven by Commissioned — 1982 A waterpower licence was obtained for this The Ellis Station has two generating machines,
a Francis turbine manufactured in 1981. Michelle station has a static head of 74 m. Michelle’s Operating Head — 74m station in May 1978, enabling the project to which were upgraded from 3,400kW to
water supply is brought from the Marslin Dam via 670m of steel and 2,600m of concrete Flow through Station — 2730 litres proceed. The station powerhouse is alongside 3,900kW output in 1997/8. These machines
pipeline. The station has an overflow pipeline alongside the main penstock, which enables per second the Teviot Bridge generating station. Installed are driven by Boving Twin Pelton wheels,
water to continue flowing to the lower stations when the Michelle Station is off line. Discharge in the station is refurbished plant purchased which were manufactured in 1942. The station
No.7 Machine
and overflow water from the Michelle Power Station moves via a 740m long race to a head from the Dunedin City Council (ex Waipori operates from a static head of 206m producing
Rated Output — 1,600 kW
pond, the scheme’s third reservoir and day storage area for the lower Teviot stations. Power Station). an output of 7,800kW.
Turbine — Sorumsand
(Francis)
Generator — Mitsubishi
ANNUAL GENERATION 13.2 GWh FA C T F I L E

Commissioned — 1981 No. 5 & 6 Machines


Operating Head — 206m Turbine — Boving (Pelton)
Flow through Station — 3680 Generator — Synchronous BTH
FA C T F I L E GEORGE HYDRO THE TEVIOT litres per second ANNUAL GENERATION 45 GWh
Output (nameplate)— 6,800 kW
Commissioned — 1924 This was the first station built on the Teviot River. It was commissioned in 1924, originally
Operating Head — 117m operating with two generators, each of 125 kW output and driven by Francis turbines. In 1926 a
Flow through Station — 1700 litres third machine of 500 kW output was added to the scheme, also driven by a Francis turbine. 1966
per second saw the replacement of the two original machines with a single machine of 500kW capacity,
driven by a Gilkes Impulse Turgo turbine. The George Station operates with a 117 m head.
No.1 Machine
Rated Output — 1,000 kW FRASER HYDRO FRASER
The station was extensively refurbished in 2002 when the two 500kW machines were replaced
Turbine — Jyoti with a single machine of 1000kW capacity. During refurbishment all electrical equipment at the The original, temporary, generating plant was concrete low-pressure pipeline 4.5km in
(Turgo) station was also replaced. installed in 1948 as a joint venture between the length. Pioneer Generation began a ten-year
Generator — Jyoti former Otago Central Electric Power Board and pipeline upgrade programme began in 1999. FA C T F I L E
ANNUAL GENERATION 8.2 GWh Public Works Department. Plant was sourced Each year a section of concrete pipeline is
from Nokomai and Auckland to hasten the being replaced with continuous welded steel Commissioned — 1954
development of generation while awaiting the pipe. The steel penstock is 580m long. Operating Head — 244m
delivery of what would become the permanent Flow through Station — 1416 litres
equipment. The temporary plant produced The station’s electrical equipment was per second
500kW of energy, which was much needed completely refurbished in 2001 to provide
TEVIOT BRIDGE HYDRO THE TEVIOT FA C T F I L E to meet the extra demands created with the
Rated Output — 1,125 kW
automatic control and monitoring. The dam
Roxburgh Dam construction. Work began on and weir are remotely controlled. Turbine — Gilkes
Commissioned — 1972 the present station in 1951 and was completed (Turgo)
The scheme was proposed in 1967 but due to long delays in obtaining approvals and other
commitments at the time, development did not begin until June 1970 when tenders were called. Operating Head — 91m for commissioning in 1954. It has a generation The Fraser River Station is a different concept Generator — ASEA
Flow through Station — 1600 litres output of 2,500kW. in design from others in New Zealand, there ANNUAL GENERATION 20 GWh
The station operates at a head of 91m. The penstock comprises steel pipes gradually reducing per second being no powerhouse building as such. All
from 915mm to 760mm in diameter, with an overall length of 457m. The water supply originates No.4 Machine The station’s water supply comes from the generating equipment is situated outdoors
from the spill at George Station, on the hillside above. This outflow is taken through a vertical Rated Output — 1,125 kW Fraser Storage Dam. The dam is a concrete under large metal covers, a small building
slide gate to the penstock, of Teviot Bridge. Provision has been made for an overflow outlet pipe arch type, 35m high, impounding a lake of contains instrument panels and control
Turbine — Andritz 46ha. About 5km downstream is the intake
at the George Station when the Teviot Bridge Station is off line. equipment. It is believed that this station is the
(Francis) to the pipeline, which is in the form of a 10m only one of its type in New Zealand.
Generator — Elin 1,250 kVA (1972) high concrete arch weir. From the weir is a
ANNUAL GENERATION 4.3 GWh
WYE CREEK HYDRO WYE CREEK MONOWAI HYDRO MONOWAI

The former Otago Central Electric Power Board purchased the Wye Creek plant from the Monowai hydroelectric power station lies Before the Southland network was linked diverted into a canal 865m long to a forebay,
Goldfields Dredging Company in September 1941, the transfer was made for £5,750. It was on the banks of the Waiau River approx to the national grid in 1939 the station from there a 1036m pipeline leads to the
originally built by the Golden Terrace Extended Gold Dredging Company Ltd, which went into 50km from Tuatapere. The scheme was was of major importance to the people of surge tank. Three penstocks, with diameters
liquidation in 1929. investigated as early as 1919, with the major Southland. that vary in steps from 2.6m to 1.6m take
construction work commencing in February the water from the surge tank down to the
At the time of purchase by the Power Board the Wye Creek Hydro Scheme was capable of 1922 by the Southland Electric Power Board. The Monowai Dam is a low earth embankment turbines in the powerhouse.
producing 400 kW of energy. A further generator and turbine (formerly from the Lower Roaring The project was completed by December built across the Monowai River forming the
Meg Scheme) was added late 1991, at this time major upgrading and renewal of penstock, 1924. The station was officially opened on 31 square km Lake Monowai. At the river Pioneer Generation Limited purchased
foundations and exterior cladding of the powerhouse was completed. As road access was not 1 May 1925 with two machines; a third was outlet, about 8.5km from the powerhouse, Monowai station December 2002, becoming
available for the penstock part of the project most of the material had to be transported in by commissioned in 1927. The government gates control the Lake. Water flows down at the time the 11th station owned by the
helicopter, this included the steel pipes for the penstock construction as well as concrete for bought the station from the Southland the Monowai River for some 6km to a lake company and the second largest in terms
the foundations and anchor blocks. Electricity Supply in 1936. formed by a weir across the river. It is then of output.

The No 1 machine was decommissioned in December 2008. The Scheme now has a generation
output of 1,000kW.
FA C T F I L E FA L L S H Y D R O FALLS
This station has no storage, being a run-of-the-river type; water is delivered to the station by a
pipeline varying from 600mm to 450mm in diameter. Operating Head — 48.2M Falls Station is situated approximately Water supply to the station is via pipeline
10kms east of St Bathans adjacent to Falls from Falls Dam. The dam is a rockfill
No. 1 Machine Dam which is at the head of the Manuherikia structure built in 1935 for irrigation purposes;
FA C T F I L E Commissioned — 2005 River. In the early 1990’s, to assist with it is owned and operated by the Falls Dam
Output— 2,600 kW operating costs, the Falls Dam Company Company. Water is brought to the station via
Commissioned — 1941 No. 2 Machine proposed to build a small hydro power a low level pipeline split off from the existing
Turbine — Turab, Sweden,
Operating Head — 310m Output — 1,000 kW station at the dam site and sell the energy irrigation line. A siphon pipe joins the lower
Vertical Francis
Flow through Station — 700 litres generated. However after failing to attract a level supply to provide additional flow from
Turbine — Gilkes (Turgo) Generator — Alconza, Spain
per second purchaser the company approached the then crest level when the full flow is required.
Generator — Metro Vickers Central Electric Limited (CEL) with a view to
ANNUAL GENERATION 8 GWh No. 2 Machine forming a joint development. In 1996 CEL Remote control of the station via cell phone
investigated options for the site and started or radio system ensures only infrequent
Commissioned — 2006
negotiations with the Falls Dam Company. visits to the site are required.
Output— 2,600 kW An agreement was signed in May 1997 to
GLENORCHY HYDRO GLENORCHY Turbine — Turab, Sweden, allow the project to proceed to design and
Vertical Francis resource consent stage.
(or Ox burn/Twelve Mile Station) Generator — Alconza, Spain FA C T F I L E
Roadworks to provide access to the site
No. 3 Machine
Due to the distance from the nearest point of undertaken for an official opening by 8 FA C T F I L E began in December 2002 and a transmission
Commissioned — 2003
supply at Queenstown and the nature of the February 1969. Commissioned — 2007 line was built to take electricity generated to
terrain between there and Glenorchy, The Ox Burn scheme consists of a concrete Commissioned — 1969 Output— 2,600 kW Ranfurly via the Oturehua sub-station. The Operating Head — 30m
it was decided to build a local generating gravity dam, 14m in height, with a 470m steel Turbine — Turab, Sweden, construction of the powerhouse, which is a Output — 1200kW
Operating Head — 64m
station and reticulate the district from that pipeline of 700mm diameter to the Vertical Francis basic reinforced concrete structure, began Turbine — Turab
point. In April 1967, a workers’ camp powerhouse, giving an operating head of Flow through Station — 860 litres early 2003. It has a removable concrete slab
per second Generator — Alconza, Spain (Single Vertical Kaplan)
was established and a waterpower licence 65m. Installed equipment includes a Reliance roof, to enable heavy items to be installed
having been received, construction began of 400 kVA generator coupled to a No.1 Machine ANNUAL GENERATION 45 GWh and removed by crane. Generator — Turab
a new generation station at the Ox burn Maier turbine. Output — 400 kW ANNUAL GENERATION 9 GWh
(or Twelve-mile). Despite heavy flooding In January 1994 very heavy rain caused Turbine — Maier
several times during the course of the project, disastrous flooding throughout the district. (Francis)
an intake dam and pipeline were The outcome for the station was the
Generator — Reliance
constructed. The powerhouse was built, gravel riverbed rising to the roof level of the
ANNUAL GENERATION 2.8 GWh
plant installed, and reticulation of the district powerhouse. A concrete wall now surrounds
the powerhouse.
LOWER ROARING MEG HYDRO THE ROARING MEG UPPER ROARING MEG HYDRO THE ROARING MEG

THE NAME “ROARING MEG” IS Construction of an intake weir across the The original Lower Roaring Meg scheme had
Roaring Meg Stream commenced January an intake in the stream, giving a 304m head.
ALSO THE NAME OF THE SMALL FA C T F I L E
1935 with 20 men on the project, and by The water was fed through 2.4km of 762mm
CREEK, WHICH RUNS DOWN March of that year the labour force was and 609mm concrete lined steel pipes, (now
increased to 45 men. By September 1935 the replaced with steel pipe) to two Pelton Commissioned — 1947
THE HILLSIDE BEHIND THE
powerhouse was completed and installation wheels, direct coupled to two 850kW, 6,600- Operating Head — 125m
ROARING MEG STATION. THIS of machinery had commenced. Completion volt alternators. Flow through Station — 1,300 litres
CREEK ALONG WITH ANOTHER of the project was in time for the official per second
“GENTLE ANNIE” WHICH IS opening on 19 March 1936. Originally the Lower Roaring Meg Scheme
No.1 Machine
had a generating plant of 1,700kW. The
FURTHER ALONG THE HIGHWAY A third share arrangement between two station was upgraded in 1989 when a 2MW
Output — 513 kW
WAS REPUTEDLY NAMED AFTER gold dredging companies and the former Reliance Synchronous Generator was Turbine — Boving (Pelton)
Otago Central Electric Power Board financed installed, replacing one of the Metropolitan- Generator — BTH
TWO BARMAIDS WHO WORKED
the Meg Station construction. The cost Vickers generators, increasing Meg’s output No.2 Machine
IN A HOTEL DURING THE GOLD of the scheme was £42,000. The dredging to 3,000kW. Output — 750 kW
RUSH ERA. companies, made their contribution by way of Turbine — Gilkes (Turgo)
payment in advance for power to be supplied A devastating flood in November 1999 Generator — BBC
to them under the terms of their contracts. inundated the power station. Generators
THE STATION THAT CAN BE SEEN ANNUAL GENERATION 9 GWh
and turbines could be saved and refurbished
CLEARLY FROM THE HIGHWAY, Construction was a difficult task as all however the control equipment was
IS KNOWN BY THE COMPANY gravel and timber required on the hill had completely destroyed and was totally
to be carted by horse and dray. All rock to replaced. The station resumed generation in
AS THE ‘LOWER MEG’ AS THERE be removed for the pipeline bench was hand July 2000. In October 1941 extension plans were
IS ANOTHER STATION HIGH ON drilled and blasted. Laying the pipeline here discussed and a decision was made for
THE HILLSIDE ABOVE, THIS IS was a heavy undertaking, with pipes being a further station to be constructed at the
hauled up the hill on a tramline by trolley, head of the valley. The proposal was to
THE ‘UPPER MEG’ STATION. powered by a tractor-driven winch. FA C T F I L E construct a storage dam at the top of the
hill and direct water through a pipeline to a
Commissioned — 1936 powerhouse above the existing Lower Meg
Operating Head — 304m Station intake weir, this station is known as
the Upper Meg.
Flow through Station — 1,300 litres
per second
Despite major problems encountered during
No.3 Machine the construction, such as staff shortages due
Output — 2,000 kW to the war, floods, snow and other adverse
Turbine — Sorumsand (Pelton) conditions, the station began producing
Generator — Reliance power in July 1947, to a full output of
No.4 Machine 250kW. In 1963 the generator failed and was
Output — 1,000 kW replaced with a 540kVA generator, which had
previously been used at the Fraser power
Turbine — Sorumsand (Pelton) station and at the same time a section of the
Generator — Metro Vickers pipeline was also renewed.
ANNUAL GENERATION 21 GWh
In 1991 a Turgo turbine and an Induction
generator were also installed at the Upper
Meg Station. A new larger pipeline was also
laid to supply the two turbines.

Left: 1940’s Pipework for the Roaring Meg


Ellis Street, PO Box 275
Alexandra, New Zealand
P: 03 440 0022
E: pgl@pioneergen.co.nz
W: www.pioneergen.co.nz

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