The United States once had many local power grids instead of a nationwide grid
Instead of the grid used today, America once used microgrids. Because these microgrids were a private network of wires that ran on varying voltages, there was a huge overlap. The streets were filled with wires. There was a tangle of wires so huge, one could barely see the sky. These series of electric systems were such a mess that where was a need for change.
The first step towards a more extensive and universalized grid came up in 1887 with the discovery of alternating current With alternating current, electricity could be transmitted with constant changes in direction — power can flow in one direction this moment and the reverse direction in the next split-second. Alternating current, as opposed to direct current, also provided a means of boosting low voltages into high voltages through transformers. This informed the idea of building a power plant that supplied power to cities very far away, as high voltages could travel very far.
However, while alternating current increased in popularity, direct current was still very much in use. This created huge chaos as there were so much diversity and a lack of translatability between the various systems.
⚡️After lots of difficulties in cornering a powering market, America’s first large scale power plant was built in Niagara Falls.
The plant sent power to Buffalo, some twenty miles away, through long-distance transmission wires. After modifications and adjustments on the power plant, America had her grid.
Did you know? 12.4% of America’s electricity was made from renewable resources in 2012.