Skip to main content
Port Washington Power Plant
Society
Main Category
Sub Category
Era
Date Created
Location Country
us
Coordinates
43.037297, -87.914156
Address1
Wisconsin Electric Power Company
Address2
231 West Michigan
City
Milwaukee
State
Country
Zip

The Port Washington Power Plant of the Wisconsin Electric Company was the most thermally efficient steam power plant in the world for many years following its opening in 1935. Its design reflected the cumulative experience of the utility's engineers in burning pulverized coal at the Oneida Street Plant and the Lakeside Station in Milwaukee.

Port Washington was planned to meet the growing demand for electricity and was built during the Great Depression. Record efficiency and increasing reliability continued at the plant until newer plants surpassed it in 1948. The success of the Port Washington plant accelerated the adoption of pulverized coal burning for central power plants in the United States.

Comments from Visitors/Members:
1992 Survey by Herbert W. Jerke: One of five steam turbines was decommissioned in 1989. Other four units are currently being renovated for further use.

world's most thermally efficient steam plant for many years
Image Credit
Courtesy ASME
Image Caption
The dedication of Port Washington Power Plant coincided with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the city in which it is located.

We hope you enjoyed this essay.

Please support America's only magazine of the history of engineering and innovation, and the volunteers that sustain it with a donation to Invention & Technology.

Donate

Stay informed - subscribe to our newsletter.
The subscriber's email address.