Yesterday, we went on a tour of Didcot Power Station that was kindly organised by Marek. Having never been inside a power station before and only studied how they work since October this tour was extremely pleasing to see all that theory put into work!
Since going commercial and providing electricity to the public in 1970 this 2000MW power station was initially coal fired and at peak times burning 18,000kg of coal a day. Didcot A, as it is called, has four 500MW generating units. Didcot B, constructed and opened in 1997 made use of the combined cycle gas technology (CCGT), one of the first of its kind in England, and boasting an impressive 55-56% burning efficiency generating 1,460MW of electricity. Due to the Kyoto Protocol and Renewables Obligation Didcot A had received some very impressive upgrades being co-fired with gas and biomass.
Overall, we had a very nice tour. The introduction demo and that electric demo board in the visitors lounge was very interesting. Viewing the genius work of the engineers, all that pipework, generating units and cooling towers up close was absolutely amazing. And finally the control room with the mascots conveniently placed next to the warning lights maybe to soften the impact of a serious warning? :) It was a beautiful day and our tour guide was very passionate about this power station. She did emphasise that the six cooling towers were not responsible for producing carbon emissions as their only emissions iwere vapour (which sort of forms clouds). It's the tall, thin, exhaust chimney that everyone should worry about.
Since going commercial and providing electricity to the public in 1970 this 2000MW power station was initially coal fired and at peak times burning 18,000kg of coal a day. Didcot A, as it is called, has four 500MW generating units. Didcot B, constructed and opened in 1997 made use of the combined cycle gas technology (CCGT), one of the first of its kind in England, and boasting an impressive 55-56% burning efficiency generating 1,460MW of electricity. Due to the Kyoto Protocol and Renewables Obligation Didcot A had received some very impressive upgrades being co-fired with gas and biomass.
Overall, we had a very nice tour. The introduction demo and that electric demo board in the visitors lounge was very interesting. Viewing the genius work of the engineers, all that pipework, generating units and cooling towers up close was absolutely amazing. And finally the control room with the mascots conveniently placed next to the warning lights maybe to soften the impact of a serious warning? :) It was a beautiful day and our tour guide was very passionate about this power station. She did emphasise that the six cooling towers were not responsible for producing carbon emissions as their only emissions iwere vapour (which sort of forms clouds). It's the tall, thin, exhaust chimney that everyone should worry about.
