Atiamuri Power Station
Encyclopedia
Atiamuri Power Station is a hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River
, in the North Island
of New Zealand
. It is the third of eight hydroelectric power stations on the Waikato River. The station can easily be seen from State Highway 1 between Taupo
and Tokoroa
.
Atiamuri Power Station is 8 kilometres (5 mi) downstream of Ohakuri Power Station, and takes water directly from the larger upstream station. The relatively small storage of Lake Atiamuri means the timing of Atiamuri's generation production is critical, particularly if Ohakuri is generating at full capacity.
Atiamuri, like all of the hydroelectric power stations on the Waikato River, is operated by state-owned electricity generator Mighty River Power.
Most of the workers were housed on-site in the newly-created Atiamuri Village
, with other workers coming from Mangakino
, the base of the constriction of the upper Waikato River hydroelectric stations. The village of Atiamuri contained 500 homes, a cinema, recreation room, canteen and library.
Construction of Atiamuri was completed six months ahead of schedule, and the first three turbines and generators were commissioned in November 1958. A fourth turbine and generator was installed later, and commissioned in April 1962.
The earth dam is 266 metres (872.7 ft) long, 31 metres (101.7 ft) high, and is 152 metres (498.7 ft) wide at the base and 7 metres (23 ft) at the crest. It is made of soil and gravel, with the upstream side made of boulder riprap to protect against wave action. The earth dam prevents water from entering Atiamuri Village, and divert water northwards towards the concrete dam.
The concrete dam is 171 metres (561 ft) long, 44 metres (144.4 ft) high, and is 38 metres (124.7 ft) wide at the base and 7.3 metres (24 ft) at the crest. The concrete dam contains the penstocks for the powerhouse, which lies directly below the dam.
Between the two dams is the 129 metres (423.2 ft) long diversion culvert, which is used for lake spills if needed.
turbines, each rotating at 126 rpm. Water from here is then deposited back into the Waikato River.
Each of the turbines turns a generator, each producing 21 MW of electricity at 11,000 volts. Electricity from the generators is stepped up to 220 kV by four transformers, each rated at 23,333 kVA.
's 220 kV grid. The station connects to the single-circuit Wairakei
to Whakamaru
A line (WRK-WKM-A) at the substation to the south of the powerhouse, with electricity being distributed to Taupo
and the southern Waikato, and further north to Hamilton
and Auckland
. Atiamuri electricity also is distributed to the Bay of Plenty
via the twin-circuit Atiamuri to Tarukenga (near Rotorua
) line (ATI-TRK-A) originating from the power station.
Waikato River
The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand. In the North Island, it runs for 425 kilometres from the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu, joining the Tongariro River system and emptying into Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake. It drains Taupo at the lake's northeastern edge, creates the...
, in the North Island
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is the third of eight hydroelectric power stations on the Waikato River. The station can easily be seen from State Highway 1 between Taupo
Taupo
Taupo is a town on the shore of Lake Taupo in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand. It is the seat of the Taupo District Council and lies in the southern Waikato Region....
and Tokoroa
Tokoroa
Tokoroa is the third-largest town in the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand and largest settlement in the South Waikato district. Located 30 km southwest of Rotorua, close to the foot of the Mamaku Ranges, it is mid-way between Taupo and Hamilton on State Highway One...
.
Atiamuri Power Station is 8 kilometres (5 mi) downstream of Ohakuri Power Station, and takes water directly from the larger upstream station. The relatively small storage of Lake Atiamuri means the timing of Atiamuri's generation production is critical, particularly if Ohakuri is generating at full capacity.
Atiamuri, like all of the hydroelectric power stations on the Waikato River, is operated by state-owned electricity generator Mighty River Power.
History
Atiamuri was the fifth hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River to be built. Construction of the station, as well as Ohakuri and Waipapa, was approved by the Government, and construction of the dam and power station began in November 1953.Most of the workers were housed on-site in the newly-created Atiamuri Village
Atiamuri
Atiamuri is a former Hydro village in the central North Island of New Zealand. It lies alongside State Highway One about 45 km north of Taupo. It is bordered by the Waikato River and surrounded by pine plantations...
, with other workers coming from Mangakino
Mangakino
Mangakino is a small town on the banks of the Waikato River in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located close to the hydroelectric power station at Lake Maraetai, southeast of Hamilton. Its population in 2001 was 1257...
, the base of the constriction of the upper Waikato River hydroelectric stations. The village of Atiamuri contained 500 homes, a cinema, recreation room, canteen and library.
Construction of Atiamuri was completed six months ahead of schedule, and the first three turbines and generators were commissioned in November 1958. A fourth turbine and generator was installed later, and commissioned in April 1962.
Dam
Atiamuri consists of two gravity dams: an earth dam to the south, and a concrete dam to the north.The earth dam is 266 metres (872.7 ft) long, 31 metres (101.7 ft) high, and is 152 metres (498.7 ft) wide at the base and 7 metres (23 ft) at the crest. It is made of soil and gravel, with the upstream side made of boulder riprap to protect against wave action. The earth dam prevents water from entering Atiamuri Village, and divert water northwards towards the concrete dam.
The concrete dam is 171 metres (561 ft) long, 44 metres (144.4 ft) high, and is 38 metres (124.7 ft) wide at the base and 7.3 metres (24 ft) at the crest. The concrete dam contains the penstocks for the powerhouse, which lies directly below the dam.
Between the two dams is the 129 metres (423.2 ft) long diversion culvert, which is used for lake spills if needed.
Generation
Water from Lake Atiamuri is taken to the turbines in the powerhouse via four steel penstocks, each 47.8 metres (156.8 ft) long and 5.5 metres (18 ft) in diameter. The water from the penstocks turn four FrancisFrancis
Francis is a French and English first name and a surname of Latin origin.Francis is a name that has many derivatives in most European languages. The female version of the name in English is Frances, and Francine...
turbines, each rotating at 126 rpm. Water from here is then deposited back into the Waikato River.
Each of the turbines turns a generator, each producing 21 MW of electricity at 11,000 volts. Electricity from the generators is stepped up to 220 kV by four transformers, each rated at 23,333 kVA.
Transmission
Atiamuri contributes its electricity directly into TranspowerTranspower New Zealand Limited
Transpower New Zealand Limited is the state-owned enterprise responsible for electric power transmission in New Zealand. Transpower performs two major functions in the New Zealand Electricity Market...
's 220 kV grid. The station connects to the single-circuit Wairakei
Wairakei
Wairakei is the name of a power station, small settlement and a geothermal area a few kilometres north of Taupo, in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand, on the Waikato River.- Geothermal field :...
to Whakamaru
Whakamaru
Whakamaru is a town in the central region of the North Island of New Zealand. The Maori words 'whaka' and 'maru' literally mean to give shelter to, or safeguard....
A line (WRK-WKM-A) at the substation to the south of the powerhouse, with electricity being distributed to Taupo
Taupo
Taupo is a town on the shore of Lake Taupo in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand. It is the seat of the Taupo District Council and lies in the southern Waikato Region....
and the southern Waikato, and further north to Hamilton
Hamilton, New Zealand
Hamilton is the centre of New Zealand's fourth largest urban area, and Hamilton City is the country's fourth largest territorial authority. Hamilton is in the Waikato Region of the North Island, approximately south of Auckland...
and Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
. Atiamuri electricity also is distributed to the Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty
The Bay of Plenty , often abbreviated to BOP, is a region in the North Island of New Zealand situated around the body of water of the same name...
via the twin-circuit Atiamuri to Tarukenga (near Rotorua
Rotorua
Rotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. The city is the seat of the Rotorua District, a territorial authority encompassing the city and several other nearby towns...
) line (ATI-TRK-A) originating from the power station.