This was an intriguing sight as I ducked down the side streets between the museum and Newmarket township last Saturday, spotted on George Street. Wondering what on earth it was, I had a closer look.
This is, according to the plaque half-hidden by the bushes, a:
"... Pelton runner ... gifted to Worley by ECNZ to commemorate the Mangahao Power Station upgrading and refurbishing project 1991-1994.
"At Mangahao, the machine driven by this runner generated 872 GWh energy at 270m head from 1924 to 1993."
A Pelton runner or wheel is a water turbine, according to Wiki, the concept around since the 1870s. A bit of a pity that a piece of significant New Zealand technological and hydro-electric history is away on a side-street in an Auckland suburb. I hope it's included on a heritage walk map somewhere -- but, somehow I doubt it.
That is an amazing piece of engineering. Love the photos and the post.
ReplyDeleteYes I hope it is included in the heritage walk map as well
That's a beauty, Lisa, loved the post.
ReplyDeleteHope it's remembered somewhere!
Wow what a piece of engineering art! Nice spotting girl!
ReplyDeleteCheers, folks. I just love it when stunning things like that appear where you least expect them in Auckland (even better when I can share them with folks reading Timespanner!)
ReplyDelete