KRKA - Second polyphase AC power plant in the
world
The hydroelectric power plant „Krka“ (later called Jaruga I) was the first commercial polyphase alternating current (AC)
power system in Croatia, the first such hydro power plant in Europe, and
second in the world. It was set in operation on 28 August 1895, at 20:00, two
days after the famous Adams Power Plant on the Niagara Falls. The same evening
hydroelectric plant „Krka“ began supplying power to the street lights in
Šibenik, making it the first city in the world with street lights powered by a
polyphase system of alternating current (AC). The transmission line from the
power plant to the city of Šibenik was 11 km (6.8 mi) long on wooden towers, and
the municipal distribution grid 3000V/110 V included six transformer stations.
Although Niagara plant was set in operation few days before Krka plant, the
first electricity transmitted from Niagara Falls to nearby Buffalo was sent one
year later, on November 16, 1896, when building of the 22 mile transmission line
was finished. Both hydroelectric plants, Adams Power Plant on the Niagara Falls
and „Krka“ power plant, were based on the work of Nikola Tesla, using Tesla's AC
system patent. These power plants were built during the
"War of Currents"
between Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison as to whether alternating current or
direct current electric power would prevail, and successful operation of first
AC hydroelectric plants led to adoption of alternating current at much larger
scale and its eventual dominance worldwide.
