The design of a distribution system in a rural area

The present stage of rural development is reviewed and the general considerations affecting design of equipment are discussed. It was realized that an examination of the design of a concrete scheme would unduly limit the scope of the paper, and consequently an abstract scheme embodying average conditions found within Great Britain was employed. This was termed a ¿Model Scheme¿ and covered 400 square miles. Average conditions, including those of average density of population (150), average load and average revenue, were sought and determined. Such information having been acquired, the general and then the detailed design are discussed, involving the construction of overhead lines and substation equipment best suited to the purpose, having regard to the limits imposed by financial considerations. Estimates of capital expenditure and revenue over a period of years are given for the ¿Model Scheme¿, supplemented by estimates of similarly devised schemes based on densities of 100 and of 75 people per square mile, such densities being representative of the countryside. Based on such statistics and data as are now available, and on a satisfactory tariff, the paper shows that electrification of sparsely populated rural areas is a practical proposition from a technical and financial aspect.