Pit-Head Generation of Electric Power

Abstract

The analysis of my address at the Aberdeen meeting of the British Association contributed by a correspondent to Nature of October 13 emphasises too strongly the part dealing with pit-head stations. My main theme was that the selling price of electricity was approaching a figure below which the demand would greatly increase, and only by this increase could the heavy cost of distribution be materially reduced. In order to start this increase in the demand the use of pit-head stations and the adaptation of industrial steam were advocated, and it was claimed that the existence of the Grid afforded facilities for bringing in these sources of supply, which formerly were difficult to use. A reduction in local rates was put forward as an additional help to this end, not as an argument in favour of pit-head stations.