Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-04-06
DISTRIBUTING LOAD
CUTS COST IN WEST
Electric Power Plans Prom
Use to Solve Coal Problem
of the Country.
BY j. c. ROYLE.
SPECIAL DlsDatch to The Star

SPECIAL Dispatch to The Star.
CHICAGO, April 6.-The Middle
West is facing one Of the greatest
Industrial developments in history to-
day through intensive production CT
electric power. This is not due to the
efforts of any one company. 1t does
not necessarily imply widespread con-
solidations, although some mergers
probably win take place. 1t will re-
suit from the common efforts of many
public utility concerns working lnde-
pendently for a common end. That
end is the economical production Of
power, divertible TO any one district
at need 1t may and probably will
be known as a power pool. That SIM
ply means that when one company is
In need Of current another can sup
ply 1t.
The production of electric power in
this section is being standardized
This is being done by regulating volt
ages and frequencies. In common
terms, it makes possible the turning
Of current from one transmission sys-
tenn to another without danger or loss.
FIatten Load Factor Curve.
The object of this move, according
TO the electrical engineers, is ito flat
ten out the load factor curve" This
supplies current largely for Industrial
purposes and its peak load comes in
the day time. Another may supply
power for lighting purposes prin-
cipally, or to industries working both
day and night, and thus have a peak
ut night time. If one can draw on
the other during the time of peak re-
quirements, neither will have to oper-
ate at top capacity all the time. Con-
eequently they will not be under neces-
sity of establishing such powerful
plants and can cut expenses mate
rally. One company on learning 1t
could buy power abandoned a new
plant of its own in southern Illinois
on which 100000 already had been
spent.
Tremendous DEVELOPMENTS now are
Under way or projected in Midwest
territory. which involve production of
a power supply beside which even Nj
egara viii look small Each of these
new plants involves a hook-up with
another which will supplement it and
assure continuity Of supply 10 each
customer. B 9th hydroelectric and
steam plants are involved, and in this
movement the difficulties OF the coal
industry in the central competitive
field may find a solution.
Production possibilities of hydro
electric plants are not constant At
some seasons there is a diminution
of force. Even Niagara is Troubled
by ice and q, steam subsidiary has
been necessary to supplement its cur.
rent supply. Engineers say that it
Is sound theory that for every hydro.
electric plant there must be a steam
generated unit.
Will Develop Both Types.
The steam plants are said to cost
10 times less TO install than hydro
electric plants but cost 10 times more
to run after installation. Companies
In this section are preparing to develop
both. One concern alone owns mines.
railroads and power sites. 1t can and
undoubtedly will build plants at each
available power site, and in between
them win build steam plants. for an
ample supply Of water for condensing
purposes is as necessary TO a steam
unit as a fall Of water is to a hydro
ELECTRIC unit.
The development outlined above will
cost millions and these millions are
going to come out of the pockets of
investors, most Of whom are served by
the companies involved. The safe
guard which this gives to operation
can scarcely be overestimated. It is
illustrated by a telephone call received
the other day by the manager of a
suburban branch OF one Of the big
utility companies.
Il am a stakeholder in the com
parss-,'' the manager was told, and
there is something you ought to know.
You have q line crew outside my
house and they haven't done a tap ex-.
cept shoot craps since o'clock this
morning" The dice game was over
forever in is minutes.