POWER STATION SITING and URBAN GROWTH by M. HER TAN* and G.E
PAPER 11 " POWER STATION SITING AND URBAN GROWTH by M. HER TAN* and G.E. SMITH o 1. SUMMARY The future growth of urban development in Australia, together with a continued search for a higher stand- ard of living and a better quality of life, would depend to a large extent on an increased supply of electricity. It is estimated that by the end of the century, the installed generating capacity in Australia would range between 80,000 and 120,000 MW which would be accommodated on some 50 to 80 large power station sites. The location of future power stations, however, is becoming increasingly more difficult. As the generating capacity installed at one site increases, the siting requirements, safety criteria and environmental considerations are becoming more complex. Furthermore, as the growth in urban development continues, the availability of suitable sites for large power stations with their associated works and various easments is becoming limited. ,- Co-ordinated planning in the use of available resources, together with a better understanding of our environment and technological advances in generation and transmission of electricity, should reduce some of the problems in future power station siting. .. 2. INTRODUCTION The locations of early power plants in Australia and many overseas countries were generally close to the community centres, supplying the energy needs of the small but developing populations. The power plants were small and,widely scattered about the newly formed cities, while the countryside had no electricity at all. With the growth of urban development, continuing rise in energy demand and rapid technological advances in transmission of electricity, the locations of major power stations shifted in increasing numbers from the load centres to the fuel sources.
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