Energy in the US

By 53083

  • Coal becomes the primary train fuel, displacing wood

    Coal becomes the primary train fuel, displacing wood
    (not actually on January 1st. just in general in 1830. I had to put in a day and month. This applies for all of my dates that say January 1st)
    Wood became problematic because of high costs and lower efficiency. Slowly, they made the transition from wood to coal, which produced its own problems.
    A good website about this: http://discussion.cprr.net/2005/03/cpsp-coal-history.html

  • John D. Rockefeller formed the Standard Oil Company

    John D. Rockefeller formed the Standard Oil Company
    Parly due to this, petroleum became a major energy source in the US.
    In the 1850s, the process of distilling kerosene from petroleum was invented, which provided a cheaper alternative to whale oil. The demand for oil for lighting quickly grew in the US, and the oil business soared.
    source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum

  • First commercial-scale hydroelectric plant goes into operation in Appleton, Wisconsin

    First commercial-scale hydroelectric plant goes into operation in Appleton, Wisconsin
    the Vulcan Street Plant made use of the energy of the Fox River with a water wheel. There were a lot of difficulties in its beginning years-- they didn't have a way to measure voltage or how much electricity a customer used, the generator couldn't be regulated, and inability to transfer energy over long distances. These kinks were worked out through years of research and development. The power plant ended up being a very positive improvement on energy.
    good website/source: http://www.magnet.fsu.

  • First windmill to generate electricity, developed in Cleveland, Ohio

    First windmill to generate electricity, developed in Cleveland, Ohio
    While being a great step forward in alternative wind energy, Charles F. Brush's invention of this windmill had many problems. It operated for 20 years, but it had too many limitations for large scale electricity production. It was an enormous contraption but produced very little energy. However, it was a major stepping stone that led to modern wind energy.
    website about the history of wind power: http://www.top-alternative-energy-sources.com/history-of-wind-power.html

  • World's first geothermal district heating system was built in Boise, Idaho

    World's first geothermal district heating system was built in Boise, Idaho
    Within a few years, this heating system was serving 200 homes and 40 downtown businesses. Today, there are four major geothermal district heating systems that provide over 5 million square feet of heating. Now there are 17 geothermal district heating systems in the USA. website about the history of geothermal energy: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/history-of-geothermal-energy.html

  • World's first geothermal power plant is built in California

    World's first geothermal power plant is built in California
    At first, this was unsuccessful. A year later, though, it successfully went into operation. Today, it is producing 250 kilowatts. history of geothermal technology: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/history.html

  • Hoover Dam is built (the world's largest hydroelectric power plant)

    Hoover Dam is built (the world's largest hydroelectric power plant)
    Originally Boulder Dam, Hoover Dam (later named after President Hoover) was one of the largest man-made structures at the time and provided not only hydroelectric power but also irrigation and flood-prevention. http://www.history.com/topics/hoover-dam

  • The first nuclear power reactor to generate electricity was built in Idaho

    The first nuclear power reactor to generate electricity was built in Idaho
    The Idaho National Laboratory, established in 1949, is a research lab that works on nuclear energy and other renewable energies. Fifty-two reactors were built there. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/travel/123840714.html

  • Department of Energy Organization Act is signed, creating the US Department of Energy

    Department of Energy Organization Act is signed, creating the US Department of Energy
    The creation of the US Department of Energy was primarily based on the realization that the US was facing an increasing shortage of nonrenewable energy resources which increased its dependence on foreign sources. Also, they thought that a strong national energy program was needed because energy policy was very fragmented within the federal and state governments. http://www.answers.com/topic/department-of-energy-organization-act-1977

  • Three Mile Island nuclear accident in Pennsylvania

    Three Mile Island nuclear accident in Pennsylvania
    This was America's worst commercial nuclear disaster. It created a sense of distrust of nuclear energy. It was an eye-opener to the dangers of nuclear power plants. really good website! http://www.pahighways.com/features/threemileisland.html