Cottam Power Station control desk and equipment

Made:
1968 in Luton
maker:
Central Electricity Generating Board

Control desk and associated operating equipment for 500MW power generation unit, designed and commissioned by the Central Electricity Generating Board from George Kent Limited, Luton, for Cottam power station, Nottinghamshire, 1968.

This desk represents the giant national-level technology projects undertaken in Britain in the postwar period, and the ultimate development of the coal-fired thermal power station in the UK. Cottam was one of fifteen generating stations using standardised 500MW and then 660MW power units, which met the lion’s share of Britain’s energy needs for almost half a century. The desk comprises a central control unit with an alarm fascia above, and a horse-shoe shaped instrumentation panel around. Its design harnessed ergonomics, engineering, scientific precision and a novel operating system, employing automation to support the operator’s human ability and allowing the safe, efficient control of power generation on an unprecedented scale.

Details

Category:
Electricity Supply
Object Number:
2021-202
Materials:
steel (metal), enamel, aluminium (metal), plastic (unidentified) and glass
type:
control desk
credit:
EDF Energy

Parts

Cottam Power Station Control Desk

Cottam Power Station Control Desk

Control desk central monitor unit, with switches to control superheating, radio base, electronic log on central screen, response buttons for alarm panels, coal mill hazard alarm and emissions monitoring screens, for 500MW power generation unit no.3, designed and commissioned by the Central Electricity Generating Board, Cottam power station, Nottinghamshire, 1968.

Power Station Control Desk

Power Station Control Desk

Control desk unit, regulating turbine speed, auxiliary electrical systems and substation breaker, for 500MW power generation unit no.3, designed and commissioned by the Central Electricity Generating Board, Cottam power station, Nottinghamshire, 1968.

Power Station Control Desk

Power Station Control Desk

Instrument panel, showing conditions in coal mill (pulverised fuel) ‘D’, boiler circulating pumps and oil status for barring over turbine, for 500MW power generation unit no.3, designed and commissioned by the Central Electricity Generating Board, Cottam power station, Nottinghamshire, 1968