Esmael P. Ganec BSEE-5 Assignment#1
Evolution of Electric Power Systems
The commercial use of electricity began in the late 1870s when arc
lamps were used for lighthouse illumination and street lighting. The history
of the evolution of electric power system is discussed in this article.
First Complete Electric Power System – 1882
The first complete electric power system (comprising a generator,
cable, fuse, meter, and loads) was built by Thomas Alva Edison – the historic
Pearl Street Station in New York City which began operation in September
1882.
This was a dc system consisting of a steam-engine-driven dc generator
supplying power to 59 customers within an area roughly 1.5 km in radius.
The load, which consisted entirely of incandescent lamps, was supplied at
110 V through an underground cable system.
Within a few years similar systems were in operation in most large
cities throughout the world. With the development of motors by Frank
Sprague in 1884, motor loads were added to such systems. This was the
beginning of what would develop into one of the largest industries in the
world.
Introduction of AC Systems – 1886
In spite of the initial widespread use of dc systems, they were almost
completely superseded by ac systems. By 1886, the limitations of dc
systems were becoming increasingly apparent. They could deliver power
only a short distance from the generators.
To keep transmission power losses and voltage drops to acceptable
levels, voltage levels had to be high for long-distance power transmission.
Such high voltages were not acceptable for generation and consumption of
power; therefore, a convenient means for voltage transformation became a
necessity.
The development of the transformer and ac transmission by L. Gaulard
and J.D. Gibbs of Paris, France, led to ac electric power systems. George
Westinghouse secured rights to these developments in the United States.
In 1886, William Stanley, an associate of Westinghouse, developed and
tested a commercially practical transformer and ac distribution system for
150 lamps at Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
With the development of polyphase systems by Nikola Tesla, the ac
system became even more attractive.
By 1888, Tesla held several patents on ac motors, generators,
transformers, and transmission systems. Westinghouse bought the patents
to these early inventions, and they formed the basis of the present-day ac
systems.
AC vs DC [Tesla vs Edison]
