Ep 2. Niagara Power

Modern Marvels season 9 episode 2 takes us on a journey to one of the most magnificent natural wonders in the world - the Niagara Falls. But this episode is not about the falls themselves. It's about the incredible power that has been harnessed from the water flowing over them.

The episode starts with a brief history of the Niagara Falls, which is made up of three waterfalls - Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. The falls have been a popular tourist destination for over a century, attracting millions of visitors every year.

But beneath the stunning beauty of the falls lies an immense potential for power generation. The episode talks about the early attempts to harness the power of the falls, which began in the early 1800s. These early attempts were primitive and mostly unsuccessful, but they paved the way for more ambitious projects.

The episode then introduces us to the first major power plant at Niagara Falls - the Edward Dean Adams Power Plant. Built in 1895, this plant was a marvel of engineering at the time, harnessing the power of the falls to generate electricity for the city of Buffalo, which was about 20 miles away. The plant used alternating current (AC) technology, which was pioneered by Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse. This technology allowed for the efficient transmission of electricity over long distances.

The episode then takes us through the various technological advances in power generation at Niagara over the years. We see how the Adams plant was gradually upgraded over the years, with newer and more efficient turbines being installed. We also see how new power plants were built, such as the Niagara Falls Power Company plant and the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant. These plants were larger and more powerful than the Adams plant, and they made use of newer technologies such as Francis turbines.

Throughout the episode, we get a sense of the incredible scale of these power plants. We see the massive turbines that generate electricity from the falling water, and we follow the journey of the electricity as it is transmitted to cities and towns hundreds of miles away. We also see the challenges faced by the engineers who designed and built these plants, from the harsh weather conditions to the intricate machinery that had to be maintained.

The episode also touches on the environmental impact of the power plants at Niagara Falls. We see how the plants affect the water flow over the falls, and we hear from experts on the steps being taken to mitigate this impact. We also see how the plants have been adapted to be more environmentally friendly, with measures such as fish ladders being installed to allow fish to migrate upstream.

Overall, Modern Marvels season 9 episode 2 - Niagara Power is a fascinating look at one of the most impressive engineering feats of the modern era. It takes us through the history of power generation at Niagara Falls, showing us how engineers have harnessed the incredible power of the falls to provide electricity to millions of people. Whether you're a fan of engineering marvels or simply in awe of the natural world, this episode is definitely worth a watch.