Evolution of Electric
Power Systems
BORON , WI L F R ED
DE G U ZM A N, JA MES A N DR EW
HA RO, E L V E E JOI CE
MA RCU E LO, VON KL EO
S I LVEDERIO, JUL I E NNE M A R I E
Evolution of Electric Power Systems
In 1870, the commercial use of electricity began in the later part of this
year when arc lamps were used for lighthouse illumination and street lighting.
First Complete Electric Power System – 1882
Thomas Alva Edison built the first complete electric power system which is
composed of generator, cable, fuse, meter, and loads. This has first happened
in the historic Pearl Street Station in New York City which was operated in
September of the said year.
Introduction of AC Systems – 1886
In 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.
L. Gaulard and J.D. Gibbs-developers of the transformer and AC transmission
Led to AC electric Power System
George Westinghouse- secured rights to these developments in the United
States.
Introduction of AC Systems – 1886
William Stanley- developed and tested a commercially practical transformer and ac
distribution system for 150 lamps at Great Barrington,
Massachusetts.
Nikola Tesla- developed the polyphase system
Tesla vs Edison
In the 1890s, there was considerable controversy over
whether the electric utility industry should be standardized on dc or
ac. There were passionate arguments between Edison, who
advocated dc, and Westinghouse, who favored ac.
The ac system had won out over the dc system for the
following reasons:
1. Voltage levels can be easily transformed in ac systems, thus
providing the flexibility for use of different voltages for
generation, transmission, and consumption.
2. AC generators are much simpler than dc generators
3. AC motors are much simpler and cheaper than dc motors.
Early AC Systems
The early ac systems used 12, 44, and 60 kV (RMS line-to-line).
This rose to 165 kV in 1922, 220 1W in 1923, 287 kV in 1935, 330 kV in 1953,
and 500 kV in 1965.
Hydro Quebec energized its first 735 kV in 1966, and 765 kV was introduced in
the United States in 1969.
To avoid the proliferation of an unlimited number of voltages, the industry has
standardized voltage levels.
The standards are 115, 138, 161, and 230 kV for the high voltage (HV) class,
and 345, 500 and 765 kV for the extra-high voltage (EHV) class.
HVDC Transmission Systems – 1950s
The HVDC transmission is attractive for transmission of large blocks of power
over long distances. The cross-over point beyond which dc transmission may
become a competitive alternative to ac transmission is around 500 km for
overhead lines and 50 km for underground or submarine cables
HVDC transmission also provides an asynchronous link between systems where
ac interconnection would be impractical because of system stability
considerations or because nominal frequencies of the systems are different.
With the cost and size of conversion equipment decreasing and its reliability
increasing, there has been a steady increase in the use of HVDC transmission.
Interconnection of neighboring utilities usually leads to improved system
security and economy of operation. Improved security results from the mutual
emergency assistance that the utilities can provide. Improved economy results
from the need for less generating reserve capacity on each system.
In addition, the interconnection permits the utilities to make economy
transfers and thus take advantage of the most economical sources of power.
These benefits have been recognized from the beginning and interconnections
continue to grow.
Evolution of Electric
Power Systems
in
PHILIPPINES
GROUP 1
Sociedad Mercantil which
1890 became LaElectricista
provided electricity in
Manila and nearby
provinces
La Electricista was established in 1892 in
association with the Compania de
Tabacos de Filipinas (TABACALERA)
The Municipal Council of Manila signed a 20-year
contract with Sociedad Mercantil Millat, Marti y
Mitjans to provide electric lighting for city streets,
parks and other public places originally illuminated by
oil lamps
MERALCO was established in 1903 and bought La
Electricista the following year. By early 1905, some
40,129 incandescent lights, 495 arc lamps were installed in
both public and private areas (Cabrera, 1992).
The National Power Corporation (NPC) was
established in 1936 to develop the
country’s hydroelectric resources. In 1960,
the Electrification Administration (EA) was
created by Philippine Congress to implement
the government’s declared objective of total
electrification as a national policy of the
country.
A 1966 study recommended that a total electrification
program based on the rural electric cooperative (REC)
model used in the United States be instituted in the
Philippines.
In 1969, the National Electrification Administration
(NEA) was created by Congress to replace EA as the
implementing agency of the country’s total
electrification policy
NEA wasgiven the authority to establish and oversee
the RECs, to make loans, to acquire physical property
andfranchise rights of existing suppliers, to borrow
funds, and to extend subsidies to RECs.
In 1970, NEA drafted a total electrification program on a 24-
hour daily service to be realized by1990. However, external
events changed the financial environment for electrification
funding.
By 1971, there were about 479 electric utilities
and 876generating plants with a total capacity
of 2,314,868 kw. In 1970, 8.54 million of the
38 million totalpopulation (22.5%) had electric
service and 2.56 million of the 8.54 million
(29.9%) resided in rural areas.However, more
than 86% of the rural families did not have
electric service (Armas, 1978).
NEA was converted into a public corporation by
Presidential Decree No. 269 in 1973. Under thisstatute,
NEA was given the sole authority to regulate the
electric cooperatives, as well as to repeal, alter,
andamend its franchises.
