History of Power Systems

Submitted to Prof.Dr.Ahmed Anas

By Amr Diaa El Din Al Fawal
Reg No. 8200190

Power System Development

The first power network in the US
n the first electric network in the US was established
in 1882 at New York City by Thomas Edison
n the power was generated by dc generators and
distributed by underground cables
n because high RI2 loss at low voltage, the energy
could only be delivered short distance from the

power station
n high loss, short deliver distance are the shortage of
the dc power network
The first ac power network in the US

n transformer was invented in 1885 by William

Stanley: be able to change voltage
n induction motor was invented in 1888 by Nikola
Tesla: replace dc motor and can produce ac power
n ac system can produce more power at higher
voltage than dc system because ac generator is lack
of commutators
n first single-phase ac in the US was generated by
two 300hp waterwheel turbine at 4kV
n first three-phase ac was generated at 2.3kV in
1893

Development of HVDC
n a standard 60Hz was adopted in the US, Canada,
Taiwan, etc. European adopts 50Hz system
n dc transmission line has advantages in transferring
more power for the same ac line due to no reactance,
asynchronous link between two ac systems
n high voltage dc (HVDC) was first built in 1970
Interconnection
n utility networks are interconnected together to
form power grid or power pool
n fewer generators are required as a reserve

n energy generation and transmission more

economical and reliable
Shapers of todays power system
n Thomas Edison 1882
n Power system- central stations

n George Westinghouse 1890s

n Battle of the currents: AC vs DC

n Samuel Insull 1920s

n Regulated monopoly

Development of power system industry

n Competitive industry 1882-1920
n 1887-1893 there were 24 power companies in Chicago area

n Monopoly 1900-1920
n A wave of merger, acquisition and consolidation produced a
few local monopolies.

n Regulation 1920-1990
n Sam Insull proposed the concept of regulated monopoly
citing the industry as a natural monopoly
n 1907 Wisconsin and New York established state utility
commissions
n 1935 Federal Power Commission was established.

Evolution of Transmission Systems

n Power plants may be far from the load (To avoid
fuel transportation, building power plants at the mine
month). Electricity transmission is necessary

n In order to transfer a large capacity (in GW order),

high voltage alternating current (AC) is preferred to
reduce current & losses and save corresponding
conductors (copper etc.)
n To enhance reliability of power supply, network
structure is adopted for the transmission system.
n Standard voltages are used in each country, which
leads to standard design of equipment (transformers,
generators, motors, circuit breakers etc.) beneficial
to investment, operation & maintenance.
n Tie-line interconnections are constructed to provide
emergency support and economic exchange between
power companies.
n Higher voltage networks are built on top of existing
networks, resulting in layers of transmission and subtransmission systems.
Roles of Transmission Systems
n Multiple roles of transmission system
n Linking generators to loads
n Providing alternative paths for reliability
enhancement
n Interconnecting with other utilities for
n Emergency support
n Economic exchange

n Priority lies in ensuring serving its own load

Thanks