First American AC power plantIn 1886, America's first alternating current power plant began operation in Great Barrington, Mass. George Westinghouse demonstrated transmission at 500 volts for 4000 feet, with a step-down for lights in stores. Driven by a water mill there, it started producing commercial power two weeks later, but subsequently became damaged by an accident and was abandoned. However, it had sucessfully showed the great advantage of using transformers at the source for transmission at higher voltage, with decreased energy losses, for distances greater than was possible by Edison's direct currect ventures. Westinghouse opened his first successful A.C. generating plant on 30 Nov 1886 at Buffalo, NY.« |
