Marmelos Zero Power Plant
Encyclopedia
The Marmelos Zero Power Plant is a decommissioned hydroelectric power plant on the Paraibuna River
in Juiz de Fora
, Minas Gerais
, Brazil
. Inaugurated in 1889, plant was the first major hydroelectric power plant constructed in South America, specifically for public use. It was purchased by CEMIG
in 1980 and now serves as a museum. The Marmelos IA and II downstream are still in operation and are serviced by the original dam.
The power plant was supported by a 51 m (167.3 ft) long and 2.4 m (7.9 ft) high dam
which diverts water into a canal on the river's southern bank that supplies the power station downstream. At first, the power plant utilized two 125 kW generators which operated single-phase alternator
s at a frequency of 60 hertz. In the next year, the plant powered 180 light-bulbs. In the following years, a third generator was added to the plant and it powered over 700 light-bulbs and contributed to industrial and public use in the city. By 1896, the power plant was decommissioned as new and improved plants such as the Marmelos I, IA and II were built that could better utilize the Marmelos Falls. Marmelos I is also decommissioned while IA and II continue operations with a capacity of 4 MW.
In 1980, CEMIG
purchased the power plant and renovated it. It became licensed as a museum in 1983 and as of 2000 it is maintained by Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora
under an agreement with CEMIG.
Paraibuna River
The Paraibuna River is a river in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, and a major tributary of the Paraíba do Sul river. It flows through the important commercial and industrial city of Juiz de Fora....
in Juiz de Fora
Juiz de Fora
-Industry, Trade, and Culture:Juiz de Fora is the second most important industrial center in the state of Minas Gerais, despite being the fourth largest in terms of population. It was once the state's largest city, position which was held up until the beginning of the 20th century...
, Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais is one of the 26 states of Brazil, of which it is the second most populous, the third richest, and the fourth largest in area. Minas Gerais is the Brazilian state with the largest number of Presidents of Brazil, the current one, Dilma Rousseff, being one of them. The capital is the...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. Inaugurated in 1889, plant was the first major hydroelectric power plant constructed in South America, specifically for public use. It was purchased by CEMIG
CEMIG
CEMIG is a Brazilian power company headquartered in Belo Horizonte capital of Minas Gerais. The company is one of the largest power generator and distributor in Brazil being responsible for 12% of the national distribution....
in 1980 and now serves as a museum. The Marmelos IA and II downstream are still in operation and are serviced by the original dam.
History
Bernardo Mascarenhas (1846-1899) became a resident of Juiz de Fora and as an adult became interested in providing electricity for the city. In 1886, Mascarenhas and banker Francisco Batista de Oliveira received approval from the city to use the Marmelos Falls for electric production and they subsequently incorporated the Minas Electricity Company. In February 1889, construction on the power plant began and by August, it began to produce initial electricity. The plant was inaugurated on September 5, 1889.The power plant was supported by a 51 m (167.3 ft) long and 2.4 m (7.9 ft) high dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
which diverts water into a canal on the river's southern bank that supplies the power station downstream. At first, the power plant utilized two 125 kW generators which operated single-phase alternator
Alternator
An alternator is an electromechanical device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy in the form of alternating current.Most alternators use a rotating magnetic field but linear alternators are occasionally used...
s at a frequency of 60 hertz. In the next year, the plant powered 180 light-bulbs. In the following years, a third generator was added to the plant and it powered over 700 light-bulbs and contributed to industrial and public use in the city. By 1896, the power plant was decommissioned as new and improved plants such as the Marmelos I, IA and II were built that could better utilize the Marmelos Falls. Marmelos I is also decommissioned while IA and II continue operations with a capacity of 4 MW.
In 1980, CEMIG
CEMIG
CEMIG is a Brazilian power company headquartered in Belo Horizonte capital of Minas Gerais. The company is one of the largest power generator and distributor in Brazil being responsible for 12% of the national distribution....
purchased the power plant and renovated it. It became licensed as a museum in 1983 and as of 2000 it is maintained by Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora
Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora
The Federal University of Juiz de Fora is one of the leading universities in Brazil. It was established in 1960 by an act of Brazilian former President Juscelino Kubitscheck. At that time, different colleges functioning in the city of Juiz de Fora were officially integrated by the Government to...
under an agreement with CEMIG.