Electrical power generation and distribution system

Abstract

Problems associated with moving fuel from remote sources to large centralized power generation plants are avoided with an economical system for collecting power from small stations located near the scattered, remote fuel sites. To avoid a need for many massive, costly transformers, a plurality of relatively low voltage generating stations are connected in series to cumulatively produce the high voltage needed for long-distance transmission line delivery. Power-generating devices of the successive stations are supported on insulative structures of progressively greater height and are driven or supplied with fuel through insulative means. The generating devices may take various forms including, for example, AC or DC generators driven through insulative drive shafts or fuel cells or magnetohydrodynamic devices supplied with fuel through insulative pipes and the system is adaptable to large-scale power production from scattered energy sources such as oil or natural gas wells, oil shale mines, geothermal steam wells, coal mines, solar energy sources or hydro-electric installations, for example. The stations may be adjacent, widely separated or vertically spaced apart within a single structure depending on the nature of the fuel source. Power may be converted to smaller voltages at the distribution region by coupling a plurality of electrical motors in series, each being supported on insulative structure, and each driving a generator through an insulative shaft.