R9 Milestones
IEEE established the Electrical Engineering Milestones program in 1983 to honor significant achievements in the history of electrical and electronics engineering.
Chile – Dedication: October 2001, IEEE Chile Section
The 1897 430 kW Chivilingo Plant was the first hydroelectric plant in Chile and the second in South America. It represented a new key technology and a new source of electrical energy in the region as a tool for economic development. Chivilingo demonstrated the advantages of industrial use of electricity and hastened its widespread adoption in Chile.
Date Dedicated: 2001-10-24
Dedication #36
Location: Lota, Chile
IEEE Region: 9
IEEE Section: Chile
Achievement date range: 1897
Puerto Rico – Dedication: November 2001, PR & Caribbean Section
Arecibo Observatory, radiotelescope, 1963
The Arecibo Observatory, the world’s largest radiotelescope, was dedicated in 1963. Its design and implementation led to advances in the electrical engineering areas of antenna design, signal processing, and electronic instrumentation, and in the mechanical engineering areas of antenna suspension and drive systems. The drive system positions all active parts of the antenna with millimeter precision, regardless of temperature changes, enabling the telescope to maintain an accurate focus. Its subsequent operation led to advances in the scientific fields of radioastronomy, planetary studies, and space and atmospheric sciences.
Date Dedicated 2001-11-01
Dedication # 41
Location Arecibo, Puerto Rico
IEEE Regions 9
IEEE Section Puerto Rico & Caribbean
Panama – Dedication: 4 April 2003, IEEE Panama Section
The Panama Canal
The Panama Canal project included one of the largest and most important electrical installations in the world early in the 20th century. The use of 1022 electric motors with an installed capacity of 28,290 horsepower largely replaced the steam and water powered equipment then in common use. Reliability and safety were also engineered into the innovative electrical control system, enabling remote lock operation from a central location.
Date Dedicated: 2003-04-04
Dedication # 48
Location: Balboa, Panama
IEEE Region: 9
IEEE Section: Panama
Achievement date range: 1914
Uruguay-Dedication: 14 September 2012, IEEE Uruguay Section
Rincon del Bonete Hydroelectric Plant and Transmission System, 1945
The new IEEE Milestone was nominated and approved in Uruguay, for the “Rincon del Bonete” Hydroelectric Central and its associated Transmission System, that fed most of the country. The construction was much complicated by WW II. It was dedicated December, 14th, as a part of the celebration of the 100 years of the Public Electricity Utility UTE.
