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1 Power System Evolution

Faradays Law of Electromagnetic Induction. Many engineers built primitive generators using the
induction principle.
1870s- electric arc lamps were used for lighthouse & streetlights. (Gas was still used for domestic
lighting)
Thomas Edison lighted first glass bulb in 1879.
The first electric network was built by Thomas Edison in 1882 at the Pearl Street Station in NY city.
This was a dc system consisting of a steam-engine driven dc generator supplying power to
customers in lower Manhattan area within roughly 1.5km radius. The load incandescent lamps were
supplied at 110V.
In the same year, 1st water-wheel driven generator was installed in Appleton, WI. Under Edisons
patents many companies were established producing energy for lighting. Because of excessive
power loss (RI2 ) at low voltage , Edisons companies could deliver energy only a short distance from
their station. With the development of motor in 1884 by Frank Sprague, motor loads were added to
such system.
By 1886, the limitations of dc systems were becoming increasingly apparent.
To limit transmission power loses (RI2 ) and voltage drops to acceptable level, voltage levels had to
be high for long transmission. Such high voltage was not acceptable for generation and consumption
of power, therefore a convenient means for voltage transformation became a necessity.
William Stanley tested transformer in 1885. George Westinghouse bought American patents
covering the ac transmission system developed by L. Gaulard and JD Gibbs of Paris France. In 1886,
Stanley developed and tested a commercially practical transformer and ac distribution system for
150 lamps at Great Barrington, MA for Westinghouse.
Nikola Tesla presented paper describing poly-phase induction and synchronous motors in 1888.
Westinghouse bought several patents on ac motors, generators, transformers and transmission
lines.
In 1889, first ac transmission line in the US was put into operation between Willamette Falls and
Portland in Oregon. It was a single-phase line transmitting power at 4kV over a distance of 21km.
In 1893, Southern California Edison Company (SCE) installed the first 3-phase system at 2.3kV.
In early 1890s, there was considerable controversy over whether the electric utility industry should
use ac or dc as standard. There was passionate arguments between Edison and his General Electric
Company and Westinghouse and Tesla from Westinghouse Company.
The ensuing battle between ac and dc was won by ac due to following factors:
o Voltage levels can be early transferred in ac systems using transformers thus providing
flexibility for use of different voltage for generation, transmission and consumption.
o Ac generators are much simpler than dc generators
o Ac motor are much simpler and cheaper than dc
The battle between ac and dc was ended with victory of ac, after ac was chosen to transmit power
from Niagara Falls to Buffalo 30 km away.