the reciprocating steam engine has been used to produce mechanical power since the 18th century, with notable improvements being made by james watt. when the first commercially developed central electrical power stations were established in 1882 at pearl street station in new york and holborn viaduct power station in london, reciprocating steam engines were used. the development of the steam turbine in 1884 provided larger and more efficient machine designs for central generating stations. by 1892 the turbine was considered a better alternative to reciprocating engines; turbines offered higher speeds, more compact machinery, and stable speed regulation allowing for parallel synchronous operation of generators on a common bus. after about 1905, turbines entirely replaced reciprocating engines in large central power stations.