Power Supply in Small-Scale Industries

Abstract

THE Vienna Sectional Meeting of the World Power Conference, which was concluded on September 2, was most successful. Of the thirteen British papers presented, four are concerned with power supply to small-scale industries. An important paper on this subject was presented by J. N. Waite, electrical engineer of Hull, and F. H. Clough, of the British Thomson-Houston Co., Ltd. They point out that the market depends on the particular district served. If the local supply undertaking finds it economic to encourage such uses as cooking, water heating and space heating, then the demand for power will probably be large. They estimate that the total market for the uses covered in their paper is of the order of 11 thousand million units per annum. Distribution methods are becoming standardized and new uses for electrical energy are steadily arising. Attention is directed to the change in the economic position that may follow active development of what are now normally 'off-peak' demands, provided new peak demands are created. The authors emphasize the value of flexible tariffs, as these promote uses which create 'diversity in demand'. Judicious expenditure on canvassing is considered wise. The paper concludes with observations on the influence of taxation upon tariffs. A paper by Mr. W. Dieterichs, of the Gas Light and Coke Company, deals with "Gas for Small-Scale Industries". He stated that the gas industry has developed from a manufacturer and seller of a commodity into a specialized heafc service. The organization being developed by the British gas industry in order to provide such a service is described. It is emphasized that while large firms can burn coal efficiently themselves or use it in producers, and can employ technologists of their own, small firms must depend entirely on outside specialized services. Hence although large firms use more gas, the supplying of small firms is of particular value to the gas industry.