MORANO,Mae M.
BSEEN EE 150
1. Justify the selection of AC over DC in transmitting electrical power.
It had not been an easy selection on whether to choose AC over but apparently the ability of AC system to be transmitted over long distances won the day. With DC power there is a need to set up power plant every mile or half a mile to be able to reach its costumer. This proposition is both expensive and impractical. Another factor that propelled the selection of AC over DC its cheaper starting cost. This was evident when both George Westinghouse, the man behind AC system, and Thomas Edison, the man behind DC power, both bid for the illumination of the Chicago World Fair on 1983 where Westinghouse bid $ 500000 against Edisons $ 1M bid. Westinghouse came out the winner and AC was given a great opportunity to showcase the magnificence of AC System. 2. Discuss the war of currents. The war of the currents must be the only war not fought with guns and armaments but instead used decisiveness and technological genius as weapon. This all began when Thomas Edison discovered the very first incandescent lamp and it became apparent that illumination in every house is up. Unfortunately to achieve this we need electricity. And so, electrification became the no. 1 project of that era. For this project there are two contenders AC and DC systems. AC spearheaded by George Westinghouse and DC by Thomas Edison. It is a battle where the ultimate prize is the future. Because unknown to this people at that time the outcome of this battle will start a new era and would change the way people live. Eventually AC became the undisputed winner that even Edison himself changed his business from DC to AC. The war of the currents must be the most important war fought in the Industrialization Era. Though bloodless in reality this war had turned bitter when AC Power was used to kill criminals and Edison suggested that this process be called westinghoused since by then there is no word that could describe the process. It was cruel but Westinghouse determined as ever pursued to make AC power as the dominant figure in electrification and his efforts and dedication prove to be fruitful. AC System is now the only figure in Electric power System. 3. Justify the Rural Electrification Act. Electrification during 1920-1930s is the hottest topic. However rural areas seemed to be left in the dark with this new emerging technology as utility companies refuses to invest in this area because there are less consumer in that area. This is where Rural Electrification Act came into the light. President Franklin Roosevelt created REA as to solve both electrification and flooding problems in rural areas. When REA started it tapped to the hydro power of natural rivers that infested America for years and when all of the hydro power available is discovered it turned into the new technology of nuclear power and started building nuclear power plants. Funded by the government REA was able to connect most of the remote and isolated areas in the USA to the grid. REAs efforts propelled the development in farms in rural areas. Mills, poultry farms, modern irrigation flourish in these areas bringing more revenues to the country. REA not only illuminate the farms it gave them an opportunity to thrive and grow. At 1994 REA but it managed to achieve its goal and did more than its original purpose, now USA is connected and illuminated thank to REA.
4. Create a flowchart illustrating the essential concepts of meeting varying demands for electric power.
