New Britain herald., 1922-02-01
VAST RESOURCES FOR POWER PLANTS
In New England, Local Engineers
 Hear Of Future Possibilities
The development of New England's

The development of New Englnnd's proposed supcr-powcr problem, as ,in- der discussion hy leading engineers all over the country, was discussed at the ilfth meeting of the New Britain branch of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, held last even ing at the Junior High school. Prof. l.. r. Breckenridge, head of the Me chanical Engineering department of Yale, addressed an audience of about l50 members and their guests on the subject of "'rhe Importance of The Super Power system 10 New Eng
 land"
 Development of Power.
 The speaker traced the develop ment of various sources of power be- ginning with water power which has been used for many hundred years. In the use of this source of energy, how ever, it was necessary to carry the work to be done to the river or stream supplying it, as for instance in the case of the old time grst mill. James Watt the inventor of the steam en- zine, made it possible to bring power more nearly to the point where it was desired But still for the efficiently operated steam plant it is necessary to be near water for condensing pur- poses.
 Now we are able to bring power easily and cheaply to any point where 1t may be needed. Transmission of electrivity over long distances has brought this about. This source of energy now lightens the work in the home as steam has frightened the work in the industries.
 More Efficient Power.
 The demand has steadily increased for electricity, and the amount used doubles every five years. We must then either increase our present plants at a rapid rate or we must make better use of what we now have.
 The super-power plan will accom- plish this purpose. The present plan is to include in one power zone the territory from Maine to Washington, D. C., to be known as "The first sup empower zone.' The scheme con- templates connecting up all sources of power in this territory by high tension transmission lines so that they will all be putting their energy into common system. This large ly eliminates the excuse for taking water power from a stream only ten hours day and allowing the water to run over the dam all night Since under the plan it will give these hydro-electric plants a place to dis nf hn
 Tremendous Overhead.
 We have at present in the zone a capacity of 17,0O0, ,OOO horse power, 7,000,00O of this amount is represented by the railroad loco- motives. It has been estimated that a total available supply of 4,5oO,0o0 horse power would meet the demand. The reason for this statement is that each plant must have equipment enough to meet the high demand per iods. For instance the highest load of the day would usually be just be- fore the shops shut down at night. The lights have been turned on all over the city, the factories are still using power, and the trolley compan- ies are running a maximum number of cars, and the electric station must be able to carry all of this load at one time.
 Under the new plan these high de- mand loads will be spread over a greater number of stations and will thus affect each one but slightly. Then we will cease to pay interest and fixed charges on surplus equip ment. The result being cheaper pow CT for all concerned, and none of our natural resources wasted.
 Audience Interested.
 All present remained for some time after the speaker had finished, many questions were asked and interesting discussions brought about. A num- Der of applications for membership in the local branch were received. The plan is growing rapidly and ex- poets to play useful part in the af- fairs of the city.