aquilareen
Adelaide No 1 converter station
Built 1908 for MTT (Municipal Tramways Trust), architects English & Soward, used until 1956 to convert alternating current generated at Port Adelaide into direct current for tram network, purchased by ETSA (Electricity Trust of South Australia) for storage 1963, refurbished 1993 as offices.
“A new company has been registered, under the title of the Adelaide Electric Supply Company, to acquire the undertakings at Adelaide and Port Adelaide now controlled by the Electric Lighting and Traction Company of Australia.” [Observer 22 Apr 1905]
“The Tramways Trust has agreed to purchase a small block of land facing East terrace, near the corner of Grenfell street, for the purpose of placing a permanent conversion station. The work of erecting this centre will be put in hand as early as possible. The trust has also entered into an agreement with the Adelaide Electric Supply Company to work certain of the tramlines pending the completion of its own power station at Port Adelaide.” [Observer 8 Feb 1908]
“Municipal Tramways Trust . . . demolition of buildings. . . The house to be removed in East terrace is that which was for many years occupied by Dr. Whittle, president of the Central Board of Health and City Coroner.” [Advertiser 13 |May 1908]
“Converter Station of the Electric Tramways. . . constructed of brick and cement upon a masonry foundation, the walls being 30 ft. high. The front elevation is divided into six bays, each containing a window, while there is a wide doorway on the south, the whole being surmounted by an ornamental cornice.” [Advertiser 22 Jun 1908]
“Few people probably realise that for the last three months, at the back of the converter station at East-terrace, there has been in course of erection one of the largest storage batteries ever erected m Australia. . . to act as a ‘buffer’ or storage reservoir of electrical energy. The operation of electric cars calls for sudden supplies of current, and it is to provide for these sudden demands that the storage battery is installed.” [Advertiser 25 Feb 1909]
“the converter station on East terrace has been handed over by the contractors. The Adelaide Electric Supply Company will furnish the necessary current for the propulsion of the [tram] cars until such time as the trust shall have established its own power house at Port Adelaide.” [Register 9 Mar 1909]
“The high tension cables for conveying the current from the power house at Port Adelaide to the converter station No. 1 have been completed as far as Frome Road Bridge, and it is expected that the whole of the work in connection with this contract will be finished in eight weeks.” [Register 25 Mar 1909]
Adelaide No 1 converter station
Built 1908 for MTT (Municipal Tramways Trust), architects English & Soward, used until 1956 to convert alternating current generated at Port Adelaide into direct current for tram network, purchased by ETSA (Electricity Trust of South Australia) for storage 1963, refurbished 1993 as offices.
“A new company has been registered, under the title of the Adelaide Electric Supply Company, to acquire the undertakings at Adelaide and Port Adelaide now controlled by the Electric Lighting and Traction Company of Australia.” [Observer 22 Apr 1905]
“The Tramways Trust has agreed to purchase a small block of land facing East terrace, near the corner of Grenfell street, for the purpose of placing a permanent conversion station. The work of erecting this centre will be put in hand as early as possible. The trust has also entered into an agreement with the Adelaide Electric Supply Company to work certain of the tramlines pending the completion of its own power station at Port Adelaide.” [Observer 8 Feb 1908]
“Municipal Tramways Trust . . . demolition of buildings. . . The house to be removed in East terrace is that which was for many years occupied by Dr. Whittle, president of the Central Board of Health and City Coroner.” [Advertiser 13 |May 1908]
“Converter Station of the Electric Tramways. . . constructed of brick and cement upon a masonry foundation, the walls being 30 ft. high. The front elevation is divided into six bays, each containing a window, while there is a wide doorway on the south, the whole being surmounted by an ornamental cornice.” [Advertiser 22 Jun 1908]
“Few people probably realise that for the last three months, at the back of the converter station at East-terrace, there has been in course of erection one of the largest storage batteries ever erected m Australia. . . to act as a ‘buffer’ or storage reservoir of electrical energy. The operation of electric cars calls for sudden supplies of current, and it is to provide for these sudden demands that the storage battery is installed.” [Advertiser 25 Feb 1909]
“the converter station on East terrace has been handed over by the contractors. The Adelaide Electric Supply Company will furnish the necessary current for the propulsion of the [tram] cars until such time as the trust shall have established its own power house at Port Adelaide.” [Register 9 Mar 1909]
“The high tension cables for conveying the current from the power house at Port Adelaide to the converter station No. 1 have been completed as far as Frome Road Bridge, and it is expected that the whole of the work in connection with this contract will be finished in eight weeks.” [Register 25 Mar 1909]