The British grid system in war time

Abstract

The paper describes the pre-war preparations, such as operating procedure, provision of an alternative control organization, protection of plant and the national pool of spares. The action taken on outbreak of war is outlined and the subsequent experience of the war years is surveyed in greater detail. Reference is made to change in the magnitude and distribution of loads and the resulting problems in the provision of generating capacity to supply these loads. The problems of plant availability, fuel supplies and war damage are discussed. The paper closes with an account of the development of the transmission system and the various classes of faults arising out of the war. It is divided into the following Sections. 1) Introduction. 2) Precautionary Measures 1936?1939. 3) Action on Outbreak of War. 4) Changes in Load and Generating-Plant Capacity during the War. 5) Transmission System during the War. 6) Conclusion.