COMPONENTS OF THE ENERGY WEB Central Generation. When Thomas
Alva Edison developed the commercial, widespread use of electricity, he
envisioned small plants located where the power was needed. However, arguments
for the economies of scale using new AC current
generating facilities won out. George Westinghouse and other Edison
rivals promoted a grow and build strategy that
encouraged increased electricity use to stimulate large central plants.
The build-big approach was also furthered by broad consensus that
[the electric system] should be defined as a natural monopoly.
(Seth Dunn, Micropower, the Next Electrical Era. Worldwatch Institute;
Worldwatch Papers, 2000) BACK to the Energy Web Map |