One of the greatest discoveries in mankind's history is electricity. It fast-paced our advancement and transformed our lives. To your surprise, electricity was never invented. It’s a natural phenomenon and has always been present on Earth. Thanks to great minds who found ways to control and use it. We continue on the path to develop more efficient ways to harness electricity.
Are you curious about the existence of electricity? This guide will prove insightful for learning about magical discovery. It’ll answer your question about who invented electricity. For the later part, we’ll try to look into the present and nearby future of electrical power. Recap your questions, and let’s unfold the history of electricity as we know it.
History of Electricity
History of electricity is quite vast, the electricity we use today has evolved over hundreds of years. The theoretical concepts about electricity, especially magnetism and electric forces were first discussed in the early 1550s. Girolamo Cardano, an Italian polymath, defined electric and magnetic forces in his book De Subtilitate. In the 18th century Ewald Georg Von Kleist and Pieter Van Musschenbroek developed the first capacitor to store electric charges, it was called the Leyden bottle.
Subsequently, Benjamin Franklin concluded that lightning and electricity are the same phenomenon with his famous kite experiment. He attached a metal piece to a kite and flew it in the middle of a thunderstorm, the lightning struck the kite which led him to establish his research. Benjamin Franklin was also first to distinguish between positive and negative charges which became the basis for modern electricity.
The pioneers of modern electricity were Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, and Alexander Graham Bell.Their research and experiments gave mankind the blueprints for use of electricity. The principles of power generation, especially AC and DC, and various other devices are the inventions of these great minds.
Who Invented Electricity?
Electricity is a discovery rather than an invention. Like fire was first discovered in the Stone Age, the Egyptians were the first to interact with electricity. It was with eels that produce electric shock when they come in contact with human skin. Sounds interesting? The Egyptians didn’t comprehend the phenomenon and termed it magical.
The historic research and experiments led scientists like Thomas Edison, Michael Faraday, Alexander Graham Bell, and Nikola Tesla to make electrical power accessible to us. The first use of electricity to fulfill human needs was the electric bulb invention by Thomas Edison in 1879. Michael Faraday gave us the generator and motor, and Nikola Tesla developed a network to transfer electric power over long distances.
Giving credit for discovering electricity to one person will be unjustified. Electricity as we know it today is due to the contributions of hundreds of scientists and researchers. When you press a switch to turn on power conveniently, remember we’ve reached this convenience after years of effort, and still, there are people who work tirelessly to make it happen.
Common Electricity Sources
Understanding electricity was one part of the big picture. Finding reliable and sustainable electricity sources is a quest continued till today. Let’s explore how electricity sources have evolved over the years.
Coal
Coal has been the most used source of electrical power across the globe. It is fired to produce heat that helps generate steam through water boilers. The steam pressure rotates turbines attached to generators, ultimately producing electricity. Coal is not a preferred option for generating electrical power today. It has adverse impacts on the environment. Still, a large part of the world's energy mix comes from coal.
Nuclear Power
Nuclear power is another common electricity source. It uses the inherent chemical properties of nuclear elements to produce heat. A fission reaction occurs in a controlled environment which produces excessive heat. The heat helps convert water into steam, which is then used to generate electricity via a steam turbine. Although the carbon footprint from nuclear plants is low, nuclear waste poses severe environmental risks.
Renewable Energy Sources
Renewable energy sources are never-ending and naturally reproducing. These include but are not limited to wind, solar, and water. The world is moving towards renewable energy sources due to their environmental friendliness and sustainability. For instance, a wind turbine generates electricity using wind energy with no byproduct. Similarly, solar panels convert solar energy to electricity without affecting the environment.
Geothermal, Biomass, Petroleum & Natural Gas
These are other common electricity sources. Their fraction in the global energy mix is relatively smaller due to costs, immature technology, and environmental considerations. The primary function of these sources is to produce steam, which helps run the steam turbine. When a steam turbine helps rotate a generator, it produces electricity.
Electricity Today and in the Future
Electrical infrastructure today is a complex network of power plants, transmission lines, grid stations, and distribution lines. The entire network has a single objective to provide electrical power for utilization. After recent advancements in technology, consumers can opt for energy independence. They can produce their electricity and utilize it accordingly. The future of electricity is beyond grid supply.
Current Electrical System
The electricity traveling from a generator station to your home goes through multiple processes. Let’s explore each of them in brief:
Power Plant
A power plant or generator is where electricity is generated using different sources. The electricity you’re using may be coming from a coal-fired plant, nuclear plant, or a renewable wind power plant.
Transmission System
The power plant is connected to the transmission system, which carries electrical power across the country. The large electrical poles you notice when traveling on highways are part of the transmission system.
Grid Stations
The endpoint of the transmission system is a grid station. It works as an intermediary between the transmission system and the distribution system. The primary function of grid stations is to control and divert electrical power at recommended ratings to consumers.
Distribution Lines
The distribution system carries power from the grid station to your home. It’s the last link of the electrical system. The electrical power reaching your home has to go through a distribution transformer to provide you with recommended voltage and current levels.
Future of Electrical System
The current advancement in technology is transforming the existing electrical system. The invention of electricity has completed its development phase and is now moving towards transformation. Sooner than later, wireless power transmission will also become a thing.
Solar energy has already enabled you to produce your own electrical power. Your house can be a fully operational power plant. You would need three essential things: an inverter, solar panels, and battery storage. All these things combined are key to your energy independence.
The electrical power dynamics are changing, and the world will witness new revolutions!
What Can be an Alternative to Electricity When Power Outages?
The existing electrical infrastructure is susceptible to frequent faults which cause power disruptions. It often becomes difficult to manage daily chores without power supply. What is the best alternative you can use? The answer is solar energy. You won’t need to depend on grid supply for your power needs. The future is now; you can enjoy energy independence with solar generators. It’s a more reliable power source and keeps the environment safe.
BLUETTI is a global leader in developing hi-tech solar generator kits. It can enable you to stay off-grid and enjoy real energy independence. The BLUETTI stands out with better product quality and customer support. The advanced connectivity features allow seamless control and access to real-time data. There’s a wide range of household power solutions, portable power stations, and solar panels. Let’s explore some BLUETTI products:
BLUETTI AC200P + 3*PV200D
Portability comes in handy with BLUETTI AC200P + 3*PV200D. It’s a compact yet powerful solar generator kit with a 2000Wh capacity. It has multiple electrical outlets to connect different appliances/devices altogether. There’s a multi-recharge facility for added convenience. You can use solar panels, car generators, or batteries to recharge the power station. The fast recharging is enabled with a dual AC+solar recharging option. You can keep BLUETTI AC200P + 3*PV200D in your home for power outages or use it on the go.
The solar generator kit comes with three 200W capacity solar panels. These panels have a high conversion rate and durability. The design is foldable for added convenience. You can use the stand to place them at appropriate angles under the sun for higher efficiency. The power station connects with your mobile phone to keep you updated about charging, battery levels, etc. The data updates in real-time; you can cross-check with the LCD display on the power station.
BLUETTI EP500 + 3*PV200
BLUETTI EP500 + 3*PV200 is a power beast to take energy independence to the next level. It has an enormous 5120Wh capacity and portability that you can’t imagine. The power station has a wheelbase for easy maneuverability. The power station has a UPS feature enabled; it stays on stand-by mode and turns on during sudden power outages. You can connect multiple devices through different electrical outlets on the power station.
The power station has advanced LiFePO4 battery technology known for longevity and efficiency. You can fast-recharge with a dual recharging facility. The solar generator kit comes with three 200W solar panels; they’ve a high conversion rate and ETFE protection for durability. You can use the BLUETTI user-interactive app to control and monitor the power station. It also includes a touch-enabled control screen.
Final Thoughts
Hope, we were able to make you understand the history of electricity. Undoubtedly, electrical power has a diverse history and complex existence. What’s more interesting about electricity is its future. In the last two hundred years, the advancement in technology has been rapid, and it’s continued with the same pace. There's a greater chance of 360-degree transformation of electrical systems across the globe.
Imagine getting electricity wirelessly, without needing physical wires. We’re already using wireless power with phone charges. The technology can be upscaled to power our homes. Although it is in nascent stages, the possibility is there. Guess what? Nikola Tesla had explained wireless power way before it was first used. The history is synergized with advancement!
