I ve seen it all now some designe student wants to build a hotel in and around chickerell grid substation it's on the university of baths site just type in chickerell substation and click on the I dream of electric sheep I think the bloke must be mad as I said I've seen it all now
I'm pleased that it's not a real project I can't even imagine the health and safety implications. What is the equipment in the picture It looks like choke coils and capacitors is that right?
If modern students are anything like I was there would be a myriad of coils, foil plates, antennas etc etc arranged to power any and all student electronics for free.
Without wishing to alarm the local population unduly, either sheep or human, I recall clearing a minefield nearby?. They will no doubt to accustomed to various other bangs etc coming from the direction of Chickerell Camp (I can't remember if Chickerell Substation has Air Blast Breakers as well?). I should note that the mines were not actually live, but crawling through damp grass with a prodder and metal detector in the dark, is an alternative form of simulation that some students might enjoy.?
Personally speaking, whilst the substation hotel may be a touch loony, the concept of connecting people with their infrastructure so we can understand where all this energy comes from and perhaps think about what and how we use is generally a good one. All credit for the young architect for at least trying to open the debate.
On a slightly less radical note, the link above looks at illumination of substations - I quite like the idea (despite it actually using more energy)
There is a bridge near me, lit from below in "blue" lighting - whilst originally the lighting was to deter drug users (cant see the vein under blue light) it is quite attractive when viewed from across the fields - we should do more of it
