How did alternating-current generators improve long-distance electric power transmission?

Alternating-current (AC) generators significantly improved long-distance power transmission by enabling the use of transformers to efficiently manage energy loss.12

In early direct current (DC) systems, changing voltage was difficult, forcing power to be transmitted at low voltages and high currents. Because power loss is proportional to the square of the current, these systems suffered from significant energy loss over distance, limiting their reach.13

In contrast, AC systems allow for the following process:
* Voltage Adjustment: Step-up transformers increase the voltage generated by the electric generator to very high levels.43
* Reduced Loss: Higher transmission voltages allow for correspondingly lower current, which drastically reduces energy loss caused by the resistance of transmission lines.13
* Distribution: At the destination, step-down transformers reduce the voltage to safe, usable levels (such as 120 or 240 volts) for domestic and commercial consumers.12

This capability makes AC the standard for modern electric power networks, allowing electricity to be transmitted efficiently from remote power stations to distant users.13