Powerlineman Magazine is excited to share a remarkable piece of electrical engineering history—“Telluride Power Co.: Pioneering AC in the Rocky Mountains” by Alan E. Drew. This article, originally featured in IEEE Power & Energy Magazine, tells the story of the Ames Hydroelectric Plant near Telluride, Colorado, which in 1891 became the site of one of the first successful industrial applications of alternating current (AC) power in North America. At a time when the "battle of the currents" was still raging, this bold project delivered 3,000-volt single-phase AC power over three mountainous miles to the Gold King Mine, proving the viability of AC for long-distance transmission and setting a precedent for power systems across the continent.
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Drew, a lineman-turned-historian and senior VP at Northwest Lineman College, provides vivid insights into the engineering feats, extreme conditions, and visionary leadership that shaped the early days of electric power. The article also chronicles high-voltage experiments, ingenious construction techniques, and the legacy of L.L. Nunn, whose work laid the foundation for power transmission as we know it. Complete with rare historical photos and technical diagrams, this article is a must-read for anyone interested in the roots of the modern electrical grid.
Read the full article here: Exploring the Origins of Industrial AC Power in the Rockies