5. Electric Power transmission In order for electric energy to be useful to society, it must be transported in some way from the power plants to factories or residences The first electric power system was developed by Thomas Edison in New York in 1882, using direct current(DC) Alternating current(AC)offered greater flexibility in changing the voltage at different points in the system with transformers Raising the voltage continues to be the main way to reduce transmission losses. (The loss is proportional to F2.R)5. Electric Power Transmission • In order for electric energy to be useful to society, it must be transported in some way from the power plants to factories or residences. • The first electric power system was developed by Thomas Edison in New York in 1882, using direct current (DC). • Alternating current (AC) offered greater flexibility in changing the voltage at different points in the system with transformers. • Raising the voltage continues to be the main way to reduce transmission losses. (The loss is proportional to I 2·R.)