Beatrice Lang
The history of electricity in Pennsylvania is a long and fascinating one. From the early development of gas lighting in the 1850s to the modern electric utility system made possible by George Westinghouse's alternating current system in 1885, the state has seen its fair share of innovation in the field of energy. The Philadelphia Electric Company, one of the oldest and largest utility companies in the US, played a significant role in the electrification of the region, with its origins in the work of Thomas Edison. The competition between Westinghouse and Edison, the introduction of large turbogenerators, and the impact of these advancements on gas companies and small operators are all part of the complex story of how electricity came to be a staple of life in Pennsylvania.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year electricity came to Pennsylvania | Electricity came to Pennsylvania in the late 19th century, with the development of the electric utility system by George Westinghouse in 1885. The Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO), one of the oldest utility companies in the US, was incorporated in 1902. |
| Early History | In the 1850s, there was rapid growth in the urban gas lighting industry in several cities in Pennsylvania. The first coal was mined in PA at Coal Hill, and by the 1830s, Pittsburgh was a major consumer of coal for domestic and industrial use. |
| Impact on Gas Companies | The introduction of electricity led to competition between gas and electric companies, with electric lighting eventually supplanting gas lighting. |
| Company Competition | The development of the alternating current system by Westinghouse sparked competition in the electric industry, with the Edison companies struggling to keep up. The electrification of various industries resulted in intense competition that bankrupted many operators. |
| Consolidation | The consolidation movement in the early 20th century led to the formation of the Pennsylvania Power & Light Company in 1920, integrating the electric industry in eastern Pennsylvania. |
| Power Sources | Pennsylvania is a major producer of natural gas and coal, with natural gas being the largest source of in-state electricity generation as of 2019. Nuclear power is also a significant source of electricity in the state. |
| Recent Developments | Westinghouse, now known as Westinghouse Electric Company, has experienced a rebirth in the early 2000s, securing multi-billion-dollar contracts to provide nuclear power plants in China. |
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What You'll Learn
Westinghouse vs Edison companies
The history of electricity in Pennsylvania is a long and fascinating one, dating back to the 1850s. The state played a significant role in the development of the American electric and power industry, with companies like Edison and Westinghouse competing to bring electricity to the region.
The "War of Currents" in the late 1880s was a pivotal episode in the history of electricity in the United States. It was a battle between two giants of American invention and business, Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse, over the adoption of alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) as the standard for electricity distribution.
Thomas Edison, born in Ohio in 1847, was a prolific inventor with a keen interest in machines. He formed the Edison Electric Light Company (later General Electric) in 1878 and focused on creating a commercially viable incandescent electric light bulb. Edison's DC system relied on centralized DC plants with short transmission ranges, leaving a patchwork of unserved customers.
On the other hand, George Westinghouse, born in New York in 1846, had an early interest in steam engines and railroad safety. He formed the Westinghouse Electric Company in 1886 to develop his ideas for AC power transmission. Westinghouse's AC system used transformers to step down from high voltage to low voltage, allowing for efficient long-distance power transmission from large central generating stations.
The competition between the two companies was intense and often bitter. Edison dismissed the potential of AC power and claimed that Westinghouse's system was dangerous. He even arranged demonstrations to showcase the alleged dangers of AC, such as the infamous public electrocution of animals. Despite Edison's efforts, the superiority of AC power became evident, and by the 1890s, the Edison companies could not compete. They either went bankrupt or were forced to purchase Westinghouse generating equipment.
The adoption of AC power had a significant impact on the electrification of Pennsylvania. The development of large turbogenerators and high-voltage transmission lines in the early 20th century allowed for the centralization of generating distribution facilities. By 1920, the Pennsylvania Power & Light Company was formed, integrating the electric industry in eastern Pennsylvania into a unified system. Within five years, the company was supplying electricity to over 400,000 customers in 700 communities.
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Gas lighting in the 1850s
The use of gas lighting dates back centuries, with early lighting fuels consisting of olive oil, beeswax, fish oil, whale oil, sesame oil, nut oil, and other similar substances. In 1417, Sir Henry Barton, Lord Mayor of London, ordered lanterns with lights to be hung out during the winter evenings. The use of lanterns and lamps was also common in Paris and other European cities in the 16th century.
In the 1850s, gas lighting had become widespread in theatres across the United States and Europe. The earliest records from this decade describe the rapid growth and development of the urban gas lighting industry in several cities in Pennsylvania. This included the construction and operation of gas works and the negotiation of franchise rights.
Before the 1850s, early lighting fuels consisted primarily of liquid fuels such as olive oil, whale oil, and other similar substances. However, in the late 18th century, much brighter and more sophisticated lamps, such as the Argand oil lamp, were introduced. The Argand oil lamp had a broad, flat wick held between two metal cylinders, with air drawn through and around it, creating a brighter and more efficient light source.
During the Victorian era, from 1837 to 1901, technological advancements transformed life in ordinary houses, including the introduction of light fittings capable of illuminating entire rooms. At the start of this period, most houses were lit by candles and oil lamps, with chandeliers and sconces used mainly on special occasions. By the end of Queen Victoria's reign, gas lighting had become common in urban homes, and electricity was beginning to be introduced.
The development of gas lighting was made possible by the discovery of gas as a state of matter by the Flemish alchemist Jan Baptista van Helmont. In 1733, Sir James Lowther discovered that gas could be used for lighting when he came across a pocket of gas while digging a water pit for his mine. He conducted experiments with the gas and observed that it could be ignited and burned at the end of a pipe. This discovery laid the foundation for the use of gas lighting.
In the 1880s, George Westinghouse developed an alternating current system, enabling the transmission of high voltages over long distances and paving the way for the modern electric utility system. By the 1890s, electric companies were establishing themselves in the market, and the electrification of street railways and industries led to intense competition. Despite the growing popularity of electric lighting, gas lighting remained in use, with fashionable hotels and homes still lit by candlelight, oil lamps, and gasoliers in the 1890s.
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Westinghouse AC system
The history of electricity in Pennsylvania is a long and complex one, with the state playing a significant role in the development of the modern electric utility system. In the 1850s, the first records of the urban gas lighting industry in Pennsylvania were documented, showing the rapid growth and development of gas lighting in several cities. However, the focus of this answer will be on the Westinghouse AC system and its impact on electricity in Pennsylvania.
The Westinghouse AC system was developed by George Westinghouse in 1885. This alternating current system revolutionized the way electricity was transmitted, as it could transmit relatively high voltages over long distances. This development made the modern electric utility system possible and put the Westinghouse Electric Company at the forefront of the industry.
The impact of the Westinghouse AC system was felt across Pennsylvania and beyond. By the 1890s, the Edison companies, which had previously dominated the industry, could not compete with Westinghouse's AC system. They were either forced to go bankrupt or purchase Westinghouse generating equipment. The Westinghouse Electric Company's marketing of its alternating current systems attracted many entrepreneurs, who established electric light companies with relatively modest investments. This led to intense competition, with hundreds of small operators entering the market.
The Westinghouse AC system also had a significant impact on the electrification of various industries in Pennsylvania. The anthracite coal mines, street railways, and hydroelectric projects on the Susquehanna River all benefited from Westinghouse's AC power. This led to a consolidation movement in the electric industry, with General Electric playing a key role in financing new generating equipment through its subsidiary, Electric Bond and Share Company (EBASCO).
In the early 2000s, Westinghouse experienced a rebirth as Westinghouse Electric Company, once again becoming a major player in energy production. In 2007, the company contracted to provide China with four nuclear power plants, expanding its global impact. Westinghouse has continued to innovate, introducing a lineup of smart televisions and soundbars, as well as ductless mini-split AC systems for residential use, offering quiet and energy-efficient cooling solutions.
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Electric utilities in the 1930s
In the 1930s, electricity was brought to rural areas of the United States through the Rural Electrification Administration (REA). The REA was created in 1935 and provided subsidised loans to cooperatives that purchased power at wholesale prices and distributed it using their own transmission lines. This allowed rural utilities to double the number of farms receiving electricity and construct more distribution lines than private companies had in the previous 50 years. By the mid-1950s, almost every farm in the country had electricity, compared to less than 10% in 1930.
The REA was enacted as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal proposals to remedy high unemployment during the Great Depression. It was found that counties that received electricity through the REA witnessed smaller declines in agricultural productivity, smaller declines in land values, and more retail activity than similar counties that did not. This was due to the ability of the REA to utilise a higher voltage distribution network that could support longer runs, as well as the provision of federal loans for the installation of electrical distribution systems.
In Pennsylvania specifically, the history of electric utilities in the 1930s is part of a longer history of energy production in the state. Pennsylvania has been a major producer and consumer of coal since the 1830s, and by the 1930s, it was also a significant oil producer. The state also has a history of gas lighting, with records from the 1850s describing the growth of the industry in several cities and towns.
In the early 20th century, the development of turbines and high-voltage transmission lines allowed utilities to centralize their generating distribution facilities. This led to the formation of larger utility companies, such as the Pennsylvania Power & Light Company, which was organised by General Electric's subsidiary, Electric Bond and Share Company (EBASCO), in 1920. Within five years, the company was supplying electricity to more than 400,000 customers in 700 communities in eastern Pennsylvania.
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Nuclear power inPA
Nuclear power has been a significant part of energy production in Pennsylvania since the 1950s. The state is the birthplace of nuclear power with civilian applications in the United States, with the first commercial, peace-time plant in America, the Shippingport Atomic Power Station, beginning operations in 1954. Since then, eight new nuclear plants have been constructed, with five of them decommissioned. As of 2019, the four remaining active reactors in Pennsylvania provide almost 25% of the state's energy, ranking the state second in the nation for nuclear energy production.
The Westinghouse Atom Smasher, which began operations in 1937, was the first instance of nuclear power in Pennsylvania. This was a Van de Graaff electrostatic nuclear accelerator used for research, which paved the way for future nuclear reactors.
Pennsylvania has a history of nuclear power facility malfunctions, the most notable being the Three Mile Island accident in 1979. This incident caused a partial meltdown of the reactor core due to an electrical failure, which led to a re-evaluation of nuclear reactor safety practices and increased regulation. There have been no new nuclear reactors built in the state since this accident.
Despite the historical setbacks, nuclear power in Pennsylvania has several benefits. Nuclear energy is the most efficient, zero-carbon energy source in the state, and it helps to keep electricity prices low for consumers. It also prevents the release of carbon dioxide and other harmful air pollutants, with studies indicating that it is safer and less detrimental to human health than coal, oil, or natural gas power generation.
There are currently four active nuclear power plants in Pennsylvania: the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, the Limerick Generating Station, the Beaver Valley Power Station, and the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station. These plants are responsible for generating electricity for residential and industrial customers across the state.
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Frequently asked questions
The Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO) is one of the oldest and largest utility companies in the United States, with origins in the work of Thomas Edison. Between 1876 and 1900, Edison applied for over 1,000 patents for inventions produced by him and his team of research assistants. In 1879, Edison perfected his invention, and within a few years, electric lighting had replaced gas light.
The stock market crash of 1929 and the subsequent Great Depression halted the growth of demand for electricity in PECO's service area. The slowdown or closure of businesses resulted in a decrease in the number of PECO's commercial customers. However, this loss was offset by the increase in private consumption.
The economy in the late 1930s entered an upswing, leading to the construction of Schuylkill's third generating station in 1937. In 1938, PECO inaugurated a new president, Horace P. Liveridge, who guided the company through World War II and the postwar boom.
In 1905, the Lehigh Valley Transit Company installed its first modern turbogenerators, initiating a consolidation movement. Within twenty years, this movement integrated the electric industry in eastern Pennsylvania into a unified system. In 1920, the Electric Bond and Share Company (EBASCO) organized the Pennsylvania Power & Light Company (PP&L), bringing together the seven largest utility companies in eastern Pennsylvania.
