Postgraduate Profile
Ken Thornton
PhD candidate, School of Humanities and Social Science
Faculty / Division: Education and Arts
Discipline: History
Email: kenneth.thornton@uon.edu.au
Campus: Callaghan, Newcastle
Current Research
Thesis Title: 52 Years in Power: A History of the Electricity Commission of New South Wales / Pacific Power 1950 - 2002
Supervisors: A/Prof Wayne Reynolds (Principal); Dr James Bennett (Co-Supervisor)
Abstract
Between 1950 and 1995, the Electricity Commission of New South Wales (ECNSW) had a monopoly on the generation and transmission of bulk electricity within the State. Seven years after the State Government dissolved this "resource-hungry, technically advanced, politically powerful, and … remote" organisation, its legacy continues to exert an influence on the social, political, economic, and power engineering landscape of the NSW. If meeting the 4,000% increase in the demand for electricity in the forty-five years to 1995 were the Commission's only achievement, it is surprising that a consolidated history has yet to be written. Resolution of the crippling power shortages and blackouts of 1945 - 1953, or its involvement in the development of the cancelled Jervis Bay Nuclear Power Station, only add to this inconsistency.
Several broad factors were central to the founding, development and demise of this organisation. First, social and economic factors that included population growth, industrial development and increasing trends in residential prosperity drove the demand for electricity. Second, the demand in turn was a major input into decisions by both the ECNSW and State Government, on the design, construction, management and operation of the infrastructure needed to meet that demand. Third, while the demand - supply relationship was fundamental to the growth and development of NSW electricity generation and transmission network, the political implications of public ownership was always present.
Thus, this thesis will explore the social, political, economic and organisational factors, as well as the technical issues of electricity generation, which contributed to the establishment, development and demise of the ECNSW.
Academic Background
- 2010 - PhD Candidate
- 2008 - MA Candidate
- 1991 - Bachelor of Arts (UNE)
Professional Background
Tutor - History 1051: Issues in Australian History, University of Newcastle (2009-2010)
Training Manager - Eraring Energy 2003 - 2007
Technical Trainer - ECNSW / Pacific Power / Eraring Energy 1975 - 2003
Memberships
- 2010 History Post Graduate Group, University of Newcastle
- Royal Australian Historical Society