Niagara FallsIn 1895, the large-scale production of electricity using hydropower from the Niagara Falls was commercialized. The neaby Pittsburgh Reduction Company used it for electrolytic separation of aluminium metal from its ore. Shortly after, on 15 Nov 1896, Buffalo received power for commercial use. Since 24 Oct 1893, Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., had contracted to install three 5,000-hp generators producing two-phase currents at 2,200 volts, 25 hertz. The first such tuboalternator unit was completed within 18 months. Prior capacity had been limited to generators no larger than 1,000 hp. (Earlier small-scale production of electricity with three units totalling 1,800 hp, began in 1881. The local village and park had electricity from a private plant since 1879.)«Image: Interior of Niagara Falls Power House No. 1 (1895-99) |
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