Energy efficiency

Historic Energy Events of the US

By carolinebozovitch

  • First U.S. Commercial Coal Production Begins

    First U.S. Commercial Coal Production Begins
    After coal was discovered on the James River in present day Richmond Virginia, colonist created mines and sold bushels of the coal. They used it to heat their homes later manufacture weapons in the Revolutionary War.

  • First Natural Gas Reserve Dug in the U.S.

    First Natural Gas Reserve Dug in the U.S.
    After William Hart noticed bubbles rising to the surface of a creek in Fredolia, NY he dug a hole to find a larger reserve. Others followed suit, but natural gas was used mostly as light fuel in the 19th century.

  • First Electric Plant powered up by Thomas Eddison

    First Electric Plant powered up by Thomas Eddison
    "At 3pm on September 4, 1882, Edison threw the switch that would start up America's first power plant, serving a square-mile area that included some very wealthy and influential customers: J.P. Morgan, the Stock Exchange, and the nation's largest newspapers."
    *Source: "Edison's Miracle of Light: The Film & More - Program Description," www.pbs.org (accessed July 27, 2009)

  • First Hydroelectric Powering Station goes into Operation in the U.S.

    First Hydroelectric Powering Station goes into Operation in the U.S.
    Residents of Appleton, Wisconsin created first hydroelectric station. The Elmer created 12.5 kW and was capable of lighting 250 sixteem-candlepower lamps.

  • First Windmill to Generate Electricity in the U.S.

    First Windmill to Generate Electricity in the U.S.
    Charles Brush of Clevland, Ohio generates electricity using the world first windmill. Its incredible engineered abilities include a maximum of 500 revolutions per minute creating 12,000 watts with the ability to power 350 incandescent light bulbs.

  • Hoover Dam; Worlds Largest Hydroelectric Power Plant is Completed

    Hoover Dam; Worlds Largest Hydroelectric Power Plant is Completed
    The Worlds largest hydroelectric power source is completed 4 years after construction began on the colorado river. It incredibble enrgy power is only surpassed in 1948

  • First Electricity Produced using Nuclear Reactor in U.S.

    First Electricity Produced using Nuclear Reactor in U.S.
    American Scientist create enough power to light 4 lightbulbs using a nuclear reactor in their Idaho labratory. Their achievment will set the stage for nuclear power and help lead it to becoming one of the present leading energy powers.

  • Solar Technology Utilized for Satellite Mission

    Solar Technology Utilized for Satellite Mission
    The top secret "Vanguard" satellite needed a way to produce energy longer than chemical bateeries which would run out in a matter of days. Scietist decided to utilized the new solar cell technology and kept communications with the Satellite for years.

  • First Commercial Geothermal Plant runs in U.S.

    First Commercial Geothermal Plant runs in U.S.
    "The first geothermal power plants in the U.S. were built in 1962 at The Geysers dry steam field, in northern California. It is still the largest producing geothermal field in the world."
    *Source: (Geothermal Education Office "Geothermal Slide Show," www.geothermal.marin.org (accessed July 22, 2009)

  • President Bush Unviels Hydrogen Fuel Initiative

    President Bush Unviels Hydrogen Fuel Initiative
    Goverment funding for the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative (HFI) increased to $1.2 billion over five years after President Bush stated; "Hydrogen fuel cells represent one of the most encouraging, innovative technologies of our era... let us promote hydrogen fuel cells as a way to advance into the 21st century..."