{"id":621,"date":"2026-07-14T16:12:45","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T16:12:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/?page_id=621"},"modified":"2026-07-14T16:12:49","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T16:12:49","slug":"goodtoknow16","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/index.php\/goodtoknow16\/","title":{"rendered":"goodtoknow16"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n \n \t\n
\n
\n

Good to Know<\/strong><\/h2>\n \n
\n
\n
The World’s Largest Dam<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\"Largest \n

World’s tallest human-made dam\nJingping-I Dam located at the Jinping Bend of the Yalong River, Sichuan province, China. \nSource: https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Jingping-I-Dam<\/p>\n\t

Dams are some of the largest and most impressive structures ever built by humans. They\u2019re made by piling \nup huge amounts of earth, rock, concrete, and other materials to block rivers or hold back lakes. But dams aren\u2019t just about size\u2014they play \na big role in everyday life. They store water for drinking and farming, help produce electricity through hydropower, protect towns from \nflooding, and create lakes where people can boat, fish, or relax.\nWhen people talk about the \u201cbiggest\u201d dams, they might mean different things. Some focus on how tall the dam is, others look at how much \nmaterial was used to build it, how much water it holds, or how much electricity it can generate. So ranking dams isn\u2019t always straightforward.\nOne standout example is the Jinping-I Dam in China. It\u2019s currently the tallest dam in the world, built on the Yalong River. It reaches a \nheight of 305 meters (1,000 feet)\u2014that\u2019s even taller than the Eiffel Tower. The top of the dam stretches 569 meters (1,867 feet) across the \nriver. Construction began in 2005, and by 2013, the first part of its power station was up and running. It\u2019s a powerful symbol of how modern \nengineering can shape the way we use and manage natural resources.<\/h6 >\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
The World’s Oldest Geothermal Power Plant<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\"The \n

A general view of the Larderello power plant, the world’s first geothermal power plant commissioned in 1913. The cooling towers can be seen on the right of the image. Photo by Luigi Avantaggiato\nhttps:\/\/www.sciencefocus.com\/planet-earth\/first-geothermal-power-plant<\/p>\n\t

The Larderello power plant, located in Tuscany\u2014a region in central Italy\u2014is recognized as the oldest \ngeothermal power facility in the world. It began operating in 1913 and has grown to include 34 separate plants, which together can produce\naround 800 megawatts of electricity. That is enough energy to supply power to millions of homes and businesses across Tuscany.\nDeep beneath the Earth’s surface, natural gases and steam build up pressure and escape through cracks in the ground. At Larderello, engineers\nhave drilled pipes deep into the earth to capture this hot steam and fluid, which can reach temperatures between 130\u00b0C and 160\u00b0C. This steam \nis then used to spin turbines, which generate electricity\u2014similar to how steam powers old-fashioned locomotives, but on a much larger scale.\nBefore the plant was built, the area around Larderello was considered difficult to live in due to its rugged terrain and volcanic activity. \nBut by tapping into the underground heat, the region was turned into a global symbol of renewable energy. It showed how even challenging \nlandscapes could be used to produce clean, sustainable power.\nFor many years, Larderello was the only place in the world producing geothermal energy on a commercial scale. It held this unique status \nuntil 1958, when New Zealand opened its own geothermal power station, marking the beginning of a broader global interest in this form of \nenergy.<\/h6 >\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\n
The Oldest Power Station in Nigeria: Ijora Thermal Station<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\"The \n

Ijora Power Station<\/p>\n\t

Ijora Power Station, located in Lagos and commissioned in 1923 with an initial capacity of \n20 megawatts, is one of Nigeria’s oldest electricity plants. It was built to supply power to Lagos and is widely regarded as the \ncountry\u2019s first official power station. Over the years, it became a key part of Nigeria\u2019s early efforts to build a reliable electricity \nsystem.\nIt is acknowledged that electricity was first produced in Lagos with a total output of 60 kW in 1896, to serve a few households, 15 years \nafter the first electricity generator was installed in England. Ijora Power station was, however, regarded as the first power station due \nto its immense capacity of 20 megawatts at that time compared to others.\nThe development of Ijora happened in four major phases, each showing how Nigeria\u2019s approach to generating electricity evolved over time:\nThe first phase was launched by the Public Works Department during colonial times in 1923. It used coal-fired boilers to produce electricity, \nmainly serving Lagos Island and nearby areas. This marked one of the earliest attempts to create a centralized power supply in Nigeria.\nAs Lagos grew, so did its need for more electricity. In the late 1940s, plans were made to upgrade the station. This second phase switched \nfrom coal to oil-fired boilers, reflecting a shift from solid to liquid fuels. It was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II during her \nvisit to Nigeria on 20 February 1956.\nAfter Nigeria gained independence in 1960, the third phase of Ijora was carried out to increase its capacity. At this time, the Electricity \nCorporation of Nigeria (ECN) took over the management of power supply, signaling a new era in the country\u2019s energy sector.\nThe final phase came in 1978, when gas turbines were added to the station. This reflected Nigeria\u2019s growing use of natural gas, especially \nafter the oil boom of the 1970s.\nFor many years, Ijora was a major source of electricity for Lagos. But as newer power stations were built and the national grid expanded, \nits role gradually became less central. Still, it remains a historic symbol of Nigeria\u2019s journey into modern energy production.<\/h6 >\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
The world’s First Thermal Generating Station<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\"World \n

The world’s First Thermal Generating Station)<\/p>\n\t

\tIn January 1882, London, England, Thomas Edison, famous for inventing the light bulb, built the world\u2019s first public power station.\n\tIt was called the Edison Electric Light Station, and it changed the way people lived forever.\nBefore this station, people mostly used candles, oil lamps, or gas lights to light their homes and streets. These were messy, dim, and sometimes\ndangerous. Edison wanted to give people a cleaner, safer, and brighter way to light up their lives\u2014using electricity.\nTo make this work, Edison teamed up with Edward Johnson, one of his close partners. Together, they built a special kind of power station that \nused coal to create steam. This steam powered a big machine called a steam engine, which turned another machine called a generator. The generator \nmade electricity, which was sent through underground pipes to nearby homes and businesses. The station used a Babcock & Wilcox boiler to heat \nwater and make steam. The steam engine was strong\u2014it could produce 93 kilowatts, which was a lot of power back then. The generator it turned \nweighed 27 tonnes, about as heavy as four elephants!<\/h6>\n\n\n\"World \n

Source: https:\/\/www.theengineeringchoice.com\/what-is-babcock-and-wilcox-boiler\/<\/p>\n\n

This was the first time electricity was made in one place and shared with the public. It showed the world that\nelectric power wasn\u2019t just for experiments\u2014it could be used in everyday life. Thanks to Edison\u2019s station, cities could become brighter, safer,\nand more modern.\nThe Edison Electric Light Station was a big step toward the power plants we use today. It proved that electricity could be produced on a large\nscale and shared with many people. That idea became the foundation for the modern electric power industry.<\/h6>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n
\n
\n
The world’s Oldest Power Station<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\"Pearl \n

Pearl Street Power Station Central Power Plant<\/p>\n\t

In 1882, Thomas Edison opened a groundbreaking power station in New York City called the Pearl Street \nStation. It was the first commercial power plant in the United States and one of the earliest in the world. This station marked the beginning\nof the electric age, bringing electricity into people\u2019s homes and businesses for the first time.\nAt the start, Pearl Street Station served just 59 customers and powered around 800 electric lamps. Even though that number seems small today, \nit was a huge step forward at the time. People were amazed to see their homes lit up by electricity instead of gas lamps or candles.\nThe station used direct current (DC) to deliver electricity. This means the electric flow moved in one direction. Later on, another type of \nelectricity called alternating current (AC) became more popular because it could travel longer distances more easily. So, DC eventually lost\nthe \u201cbattle of currents,\u201d but Pearl Street Station still played a vital role in showing that electric power could work on a large scale.\nSadly, in 1890, a fire destroyed the station, and it stopped operating. But its legacy lives on. Today, the site where Pearl Street Station\nonce stood has a plaque to honor its importance in history. It reminds us of the moment when electricity began to change the world\u2014and how \nThomas Edison helped make that happen.\t<\/h6 >\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
The Oldest Hydro Electric Dam in Nigeria: Kainji Dam<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\"Kainji \n

<\/p>\n\t

The story of the Kainji Dam begins in the 1950s, when early studies explored the possibility of harnessing\nthe power of the Niger River to generate electricity. These investigations laid the groundwork for a formal feasibility report in the early \n1960s, which confirmed that building a hydroelectric dam was both practical and promising. In 1962, the Nigerian government established the \nNiger Dam Authority to oversee the project, marking a major step toward realizing the country\u2019s first large-scale hydroelectric power station.\nConstruction of the dam began in 1964 and continued until 1968. The work was carried out by Impregilo, a consortium of Italian civil \nengineering firms, while the design was handled by two consulting companies\u2014Balfour Beatty from the United Kingdom and Nedeco from the \nNetherlands. The scale of the project was immense, requiring over 250,000 tons of cement and more than 25,000 tons of steel. The total \ncost was estimated at $209 million, a significant portion of which was allocated to resettling communities affected by the dam\u2019s construction.\nThe creation of the dam led to the formation of Kainji Lake, a vast reservoir that dramatically altered the surrounding landscape. While \nthe lake provided a vital source of hydroelectric power, it also came with social and environmental consequences. Approximately 50,000 \npeople were displaced from their homes, prompting the government to build 128 new villages and two townships, including the notable \nNew Bussa. Fertile floodplains were submerged, and the habitats of local wildlife\u2014such as crocodiles, hippos, and manatees\u2014were disrupted.<\/h6 >\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
The world’s Oldest and Existing Power Station: Krka Hydroelectric Power Plant \u2013 Croatia<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\" \n

Krka Hydroelectric Power Plant \u2013 Croatia\nSource: https:\/\/www.npkrka.hr\/en_US\/kulturna-bastina\/industrijska-bastina\/hidroelektrana-krka\/ <\/p>\n\t

The title of the world\u2019s oldest existing power station is still debated, but a few historic sites \n\tstand out for their age and importance.
\n\t\u26a1 Krka Hydroelectric Power Plant \u2013 Croatia The Krka hydroelectric plant, constructed in 1895 near the town of \u0160ibenik in Croatia, was a \n\tpioneering facility in its time. It was among the first in the world to operate using polyphase alternating current (AC), a revolutionary \n\telectrical system developed around the same period as Nikola Tesla\u2019s groundbreaking work. Remarkably, the plant is still in operation today, \n\tand its original generator room has been preserved as a historical exhibit. Krka is recognized as one of the earliest examples of large-scale \n\thydroelectric power generation in the world.<\/h6 >\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
The world’s Oldest and Existing Power Station: Dawson Falls Power Station \u2013 New Zealand<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\"Dawson \n

Dawson Falls Power Station \u2013 New Zealand\nSource: https:\/\/www.doc.govt.nz\/globalassets\/documents\/conservation\/historic\/by-region\/dawson-falls-presentation.pdf<\/p>\n\t

Dawson Falls Power Station is a historic hydroelectric facility located in the Taranaki region of \nNew Zealand, close to the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre. It\u2019s especially notable for housing the country\u2019s oldest generator that\u2019s still in \ncontinuous operation. Built in 1934 by unemployed workers, the station was completed and began supplying electricity to this remote area \nwithin the same year. The Dawson Falls Power Station has a potential output of\u00a074.8 kW and an actual output of about 29.5 kW, which is \naround 40 hp.<\/h6 >\n\"Dawson \n

Dawson Falls Power Station Generator\nSource: https:\/\/www.doc.govt.nz\/globalassets\/documents\/conservation\/historic\/by-region\/dawson-falls-presentation.pdf<\/p>\n

Visitors can reach the power station via Manaia Road, near the visitor centre. However, they should be \nprepared for sudden changes in weather and wear suitable clothing. There may also be more traffic than usual due to ongoing upgrades at \nthe nearby Dawson Falls Lodge. \n<\/h6 >\n\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
The world’s Oldest and Existing Power Station: Vulcan Street Plant \u2013 USA<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\" \n

Vulcan Street Power Plant\nSource: https:\/\/www.asme.org\/about-asme\/engineering-history\/landmarks\/29-vulcan-street-power-plant<\/p>\n\t

In 1882, a major milestone in the history of electricity took place in Appleton, Wisconsin. A small \nhydroelectric power station called the Vulcan Street Plant was built, becoming the first in North America to use Thomas Edison\u2019s electric \nlighting system. This marked a big step forward in bringing electricity to homes and businesses.\nThe idea came soon after Edison invented the light bulb and opened his steam-powered power station in New York. Just 26 days later, \nAppleton\u2019s plant began running\u2014not on steam, but using water power, which was cheaper and more environmentally friendly. The project was led \nby Henry J. Rogers, a local businessman who owned paper mills along the Fox River. He gathered support, got permission to use Edison\u2019s \ntechnology, and built the plant next to the river.\nThe plant used a water wheel turned by the river\u2019s flow to power a machine called a dynamo, which generated electricity. The first places to \nreceive this new electric power were Rogers\u2019 two paper mills and his home, which is now the Hearthstone Historic House Museum. That house is \nbelieved to be the first in the world to be lit by electricity from a central hydroelectric source.\nAlthough the original plant burned down in 1891, its importance was remembered. In 1932, a replica was built to celebrate its 50th anniversary. \nToday, the site is recognized as a historic engineering landmark, and visitors can learn about its story at 530 South Vulcan Street, where \nthe Appleton Historical Society keeps its legacy alive.<\/h6 >\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
The World Oldest Nuclear Power Plants still in Use: Beznau Nuclear Power Plant \u2013 Switzerland<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\" \n

Beznau Nuclear Power Plant\nSource:https:\/\/ensi.admin.ch\/en\/topic\/beznau-nuclear-power-plant\/#:~:text=ENSI%20takes%20note%20of%20Axpo%27s,reactors%20are%20stable%20and%20safe.<\/p>\n\t

The Beznau Nuclear Power Plant, known as Kernkraftwerk Beznau (KKB), is located in D\u00f6ttingen, Switzerland,\non a man-made island in the Aare River. It\u2019s run by the Swiss energy company Axpo and is one of the oldest nuclear power plants still in use \nanywhere in the world. Beznau has two reactors that are the same type\u2014pressurized water reactors. The first started working in 1969, and the\nsecond in 1972. Together, they produce up to 730 megawatts of electricity, enough to generate about 6,000 gigawatt-hours each year. Besides \nelectricity, the plant also provides hot water for nearby homes and businesses through a system called Refuna.\n\nThe plant uses water from the Aare River to cool its systems. In 2025, a heatwave made the river too warm, so the plant had to lower its output\nto avoid harming the river\u2019s ecosystem. Even though Beznau is old, it\u2019s been regularly updated. Axpo has spent more than 2.5 billion Swiss \nfrancs to keep it safe and modern. After the Fukushima disaster in Japan, extra safety steps were taken, including building a strong emergency \npower system that can survive earthquakes. Both reactors were reinforced to handle strong quakes. \nIn 2015, Unit 1 was shut down for three years after flaws were found in its reactor vessel. After careful checks and improvements, it was \nallowed to restart in 2018 when it was proven safe. Swiss nuclear plants can keep running as long as they meet safety rules. In late 2024, \nAxpo announced it would spend another 350 million Swiss francs to extend Beznau\u2019s life beyond the original 60-year plan. However, the company \nhas now set final shutdown dates: Unit 2 will close in 2032, and Unit 1 will follow in 2033. After that, it will take about 15 years to fully \ndismantle the plant.<\/h6 >\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
The world’s First Hydro Generation Plant<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\" \n

Lord Armstrong\u2019s estate became the\u00a0first home in the world lit by hydroelectricity\nSource: https:\/\/worldrivers.net\/2025\/07\/27\/the-earliest-hydropower-dams-in-the-world\/<\/p>\n\t

Hydroelectric power began in a small way in 1878, when William Armstrong used water from his estate in \nCragside, England, to power a lamp in his art gallery. This was the first time electricity was made using water, but it only served his \nhome\u2014not the public.<\/h6>\n\" \n

Appleton, Wisconsin, USA (1882) \u2013 The First Hydroelectric Power Plant\nSource: https:\/\/worldrivers.net\/2025\/07\/27\/the-earliest-hydropower-dams-in-the-world\/<\/p>\n

In 1880, the Wolverine Chair Factory in Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first business to use water power\nto generate electricity. It lit up arc lamps in the factory, showing that hydropower could be used for industrial work. Then in 1882, \na big step was taken in Appleton, Wisconsin. The Vulcan Street Plant became the first commercial hydroelectric power station in the world. \nIt was built to supply electricity to homes and businesses, making it the first multi-user system. <\/h6 >\n\n
That same year, Thomas Edison built the Pearl Street Station in New York, which used coal instead of water and \nhelped bring electricity to cities.\nBy 1886, hydroelectric power had spread quickly, with 45 stations operating across the U.S. and Canada. This marked the beginning of \nwidespread use of clean, water-powered electricity.<\/h6 >\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
The World’s Largest Generating Unit Today<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\"The \n

The Three Gorges Dam Project is located in the Xilingxia Gorge in Hubei province of China \nhttps:\/\/www.power-technology.com\/features\/feature-the-10-biggest-hydroelectric-power-plants-in-the-world\/<\/p>\n\t

The Three Gorges Dam is a huge power station in China. It sits on the Yangtze River in a city called \nYichang, in Hubei province. This dam makes electricity by using the power of moving water. It\u2019s called a hydroelectric dam, and it helps China \nin three big ways: it gives the country energy, helps stop floods, and makes it easier for boats to travel along the river.\nWork on the dam started in 1993 and finished in 2012. It cost about $29 billion to build. The dam is very big\u2014about 181 meters tall and more \nthan 2 kilometers wide. Inside, there are 32 large machines called turbines that spin when water flows through them. These turbines make \nelectricity. There are also two smaller turbines. Some of the equipment came from companies around the world, including one called Alstom, \nwhich made 14 of the turbines.\nEach year, the dam produces a lot of electricity\u2014enough to power millions of homes. The energy goes to nine provinces and two big cities,\nincluding Shanghai. Because it uses water instead of burning fuel, the dam helps reduce pollution and keeps the air cleaner.\nBut building the dam also caused problems. A huge lake formed behind it, and more than a million people had to move from their homes. \nSome people worry about how the dam affects the environment and wildlife.<\/h6 >\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
The World’s Largest Solar Power Plant in 2023<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\"The \n

The World’s Largest Solar Power Plant in 2023 Source: https:\/\/currentaffairs.adda247.com\/largest-solar-power-plant-in-the-world-2023\/<\/p>\n\t

The Bhadla Solar Park in India is the biggest solar power plant in the world. It leads a growing list of \nlarge solar stations that are helping countries produce clean energy. Solar power has become one of the most important ways to make electricity \nwithout polluting the environment. These solar plants use huge fields of panels that capture sunlight and turn it into power.\nIn this overview, we look at Bhadla Solar Park and the top ten largest solar power plants around the world. Together, they show how far\nwe\u2019ve come in using the sun\u2019s energy to power homes, cities, and industries in a cleaner, greener way.<\/h6 >\n\n\n\"The \n

Source: https:\/\/currentaffairs.adda247.com\/largest-solar-power-plant-in-the-world-2023\/<\/p>\n\t\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
The World’s Longest Transmission Line<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\"The \n

Belo Monte-Estreito transmission line, Brazil \u2013 2,092km\nSource: https:\/\/www.power-technology.com\/features\/featurethe-worlds-longest-power-transmission-lines-4167964\/<\/p>\n\t

The longest power line in the world is in Brazil. It is called the Belo Monte\u2013Rio de Janeiro transmission\nline and stretches over 2,500 kilometers\u2014about the distance from Lagos to Cairo. This line carries electricity from the Belo Monte \nhydroelectric dam in northern Brazil to big cities in the southeast, like Rio de Janeiro. It uses a special type of technology called UHVDC, \nwhich stands for Ultra-High Voltage Direct Current. This helps move large amounts of electricity over long distances with less energy loss.\nThe line is owned by a company called XRTE, which is part of the State Grid Corporation of China\u2014one of the biggest power companies in the \nworld. There are other long transmission lines worth mentioning too. Brazil\u2019s Rio Madeira line is slightly shorter at 2,385 kilometers and \nwas the longest when it started working in 2013. In China, the Jinping\u2013Sunan line runs for 2,090 kilometers, bringing electricity from the \nYalong River to the Jiangsu region. Another Chinese line, the Xiangjiaba\u2013Shanghai transmission line, is 1,980 kilometers long.\nThese massive power lines are important because they help deliver electricity from places where it is made to places where people need it. \nThey are a key part of keeping homes, businesses, and cities running smoothly.<\/h6 >\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
Michael Faraday<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\"Michael \n

Source: https:\/\/tuckermiddleschoolstemteam.weebly.com\/scientist-of-the-month-of-march.html<\/p>\n\t

In 1831, Michael Faraday, a British scientist known for his work in physics and chemistry, invented the \nfirst transformer while exploring a new physical effect he had discovered. He found that changing the strength of a magnetic field near a \nwire could create an electric current in that wire\u2014even if the wire wasn\u2019t directly connected to the source of the magnetic field.\nTo study this effect more closely, Faraday built on the earlier work of Hans Christian Oersted, a German physicist who had shown that \nelectric currents produce magnetic fields. Faraday wrapped two separate coils of wire around an iron ring, which acted as a magnetic core. \nThe coils didn\u2019t touch each other.\nWhen Faraday connected one coil to a battery, the electric current flowing through it created a magnetic field that traveled through the \niron ring. This magnetic field reached the second coil and caused a small electric current to appear in it. However, Faraday noticed that \nthis only happened when the battery connection was being opened or closed\u2014meaning the magnetic field had to be changing, not constant.\nThis experiment was the first demonstration of a transformer and helped prove Faraday\u2019s law of electromagnetic induction: a changing \nmagnetic field can produce electricity in a nearby circuit. Although Faraday didn\u2019t realize how useful this invention would become, his \nresearch laid the foundation for many future discoveries. It wasn\u2019t until 1882 that Lucien Gaulard from France and John Gibbs from England \npatented the first transformer designed for practical use.<\/h6 >\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
James Watt’s Contribution to Power Generation<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\"James \n

James Watt ( January 19, 1736 \u2014 August 25, 1819)<\/p>\n\t

James Watt made several key improvements to the steam engine that changed how power was produced and used.\nOne of his most important ideas was the separate condenser. Before this, steam engines wasted a lot of energy because steam was cooled inside\nthe same cylinder where it was used. Watt solved this by adding a separate part to cool the steam, which made the engine much more efficient \nand used less fuel.\nHe also created a double-acting piston. This meant steam could push the piston in both directions, not just one. As a result, the engine ran \nmore smoothly and produced stronger, more consistent motion.<\/h6 >\n\n\"James \n

Source: This wood carving depicts James Watts’ double-acting steam engine. Uwe Z\u00e4nker \/ Getty Images\nSource: https:\/\/science.howstuffworks.com\/innovation\/inventions\/watt-steam-engine.htm<\/p>\n\n

To make steam engines more useful for machines, Watt invented a gear system called the sun-and-planet gear. \nIt changed the straight-line movement of the piston into rotary motion, which could turn wheels and drive equipment directly.\nAnother smart addition was the centrifugal governor. This device automatically controlled the engine\u2019s speed, helping it run steadily without \nconstant adjustments.\nWatt\u2019s innovations had a huge impact. His improved steam engine powered factories and mills during the Industrial Revolution, helping to \ntransform manufacturing. It was also used in trains and ships, making travel and transport faster and more reliable. In mining, his engines \npowered pumps that could remove water from deep underground, making it easier to reach valuable minerals.\nEven though Watt worked with steam, his ideas laid the groundwork for modern power systems. Later inventors like Thomas Edison and the \ncreators of steam turbines built on Watt\u2019s principles to develop new ways of generating energy.\nAs a lasting tribute, Watt introduced the term \u201chorsepower\u201d to measure engine power, and the unit of power called the \u201cwatt\u201d was named \nafter him.<\/h6 >\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
Amp\u00e8re, Andr\u00e9 Marie\u2019s contribution to electricity<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\"Amp\u00e8re, \n

Amp\u00e8re, Andr\u00e9 Marie (1775\u20131836)<\/p>\n\t

Andr\u00e9-Marie Amp\u00e8re was a pioneering scientist who helped create the field of electromagnetism by showing how \nelectricity and magnetism are closely connected. He was the first to develop a full scientific theory that explained how these two forces \ninteract, which was a major breakthrough in physics.\nOne of his key achievements was Amp\u00e8re\u2019s Law, which describes how electric currents in wires produce magnetic forces. This law helped \nscientists understand how electricity can create magnetism and laid the groundwork for many modern technologies.\nAmp\u00e8re also invented the galvanometer, a tool used to measure electric current by detecting its magnetic effects. This device became \nessential in electrical experiments and engineering.\nBuilding on earlier discoveries\u2014like Hans Christian \u00d8rsted\u2019s finding that electricity affects a compass needle\u2014Amp\u00e8re carried out detailed \nexperiments and developed mathematical formulas to explain how electric currents generate magnetic fields.\nTo honor his contributions, the standard unit of electric current is named the \u201campere.\u201d His work made it possible to create practical tools \nlike electromagnets and electric motors, which are now used in everything from household appliances to industrial machines.\nAmp\u00e8re\u2019s legacy lives on in the technologies we rely on every day, and his discoveries remain central to our understanding of electricity \nand magnetism.<\/h6 >\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
Thomas Edison\u2019s Contribution to Electricity<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\"Thomas \n

February 11, 1847 to October 18, 1931<\/p>\n\t

Thomas Edison played a major role in bringing electric light and power into everyday life. His most \nimportant achievement was creating the first practical incandescent light bulb\u2014one that could shine for hours using a carbon filament. \nWhile others had tried to make light bulbs before him, Edison\u2019s version was the first that worked well enough to be used in homes and \nbusinesses.\nBut Edison didn\u2019t stop at the light bulb. He also built the first full system to deliver electricity to people. This included powerful \ngenerators to produce electricity, wires and switches to carry it safely, and meters to measure how much was used. In 1882, he opened the \nPearl Street Power Station in New York City, the first commercial power plant to supply electricity to multiple customers. It was a huge \nstep toward the modern electric grid.\nEdison\u2019s work launched the Electric Age. His system made it possible for homes, factories, and cities to use electric lighting and power, \nchanging how people lived and worked. The tools and ideas he introduced\u2014like light switches, sockets, and meters\u2014became the foundation for \nmany of the electric technologies we rely on today.\nHis contributions didn\u2019t just light up rooms\u2014they lit the way for future inventions and helped shape the electrified world we live in now.<\/h6 >\n <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"header2-2","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-621","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\ngoodtoknow16 - You and Nigeria Electricity<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/index.php\/goodtoknow16\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"goodtoknow16 - You and Nigeria Electricity\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/index.php\/goodtoknow16\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"You and Nigeria Electricity\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-07-14T16:12:49+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"24 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\\\/index.php\\\/goodtoknow16\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\\\/index.php\\\/goodtoknow16\\\/\",\"name\":\"goodtoknow16 - You and Nigeria Electricity\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-14T16:12:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-14T16:12:49+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\\\/index.php\\\/goodtoknow16\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\\\/index.php\\\/goodtoknow16\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\\\/index.php\\\/goodtoknow16\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"goodtoknow16\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"You and Nigeria Electricity\",\"description\":\"The content of this website is a product of over 40 years\u2019 experience in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry and West African Power Pool coupled with knowledge of development in the power system such as renewable energy and smart grid.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/2bb335303a0caf1dd8c280ae4df88a38\"},\"alternateName\":\"NESI\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"Person\",\"Organization\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/2bb335303a0caf1dd8c280ae4df88a38\",\"name\":\"Akin2 Alade2\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/NigeriaElectricity.webp\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/NigeriaElectricity.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/NigeriaElectricity.webp\",\"width\":520,\"height\":520,\"caption\":\"Akin2 Alade2\"},\"logo\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/NigeriaElectricity.webp\"},\"sameAs\":[\"http:\\\/\\\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"goodtoknow16 - You and Nigeria Electricity","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/index.php\/goodtoknow16\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"goodtoknow16 - You and Nigeria Electricity","og_url":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/index.php\/goodtoknow16\/","og_site_name":"You and Nigeria Electricity","article_modified_time":"2026-07-14T16:12:49+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"24 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/index.php\/goodtoknow16\/","url":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/index.php\/goodtoknow16\/","name":"goodtoknow16 - You and Nigeria Electricity","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-07-14T16:12:45+00:00","dateModified":"2026-07-14T16:12:49+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/index.php\/goodtoknow16\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/index.php\/goodtoknow16\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/index.php\/goodtoknow16\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"goodtoknow16"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/","name":"You and Nigeria Electricity","description":"The content of this website is a product of over 40 years\u2019 experience in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry and West African Power Pool coupled with knowledge of development in the power system such as renewable energy and smart grid.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/#\/schema\/person\/2bb335303a0caf1dd8c280ae4df88a38"},"alternateName":"NESI","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/#\/schema\/person\/2bb335303a0caf1dd8c280ae4df88a38","name":"Akin2 Alade2","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/NigeriaElectricity.webp","url":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/NigeriaElectricity.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/NigeriaElectricity.webp","width":520,"height":520,"caption":"Akin2 Alade2"},"logo":{"@id":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/NigeriaElectricity.webp"},"sameAs":["http:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=621"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/621\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":651,"href":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/621\/revisions\/651"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/youandnigeriaelectricity.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}