Steam-power in its relation to the development of water-power

The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the desirability of the development of our water-power resources on a comprehensive economic basis and to discuss more particularly some of the features of steam-power in connection with the economic development of water-power. The limitations of the cost curves frequently used in comparing the costs of water- and steam-power are pointed out and a simple method is given whereby the minimum cost of power may be found for an assumed water-power development with auxiliary steam power. Some data for a practical case on a large scale are given in order to show just what the use of auxiliary steam-power may mean in the reduction of capital expenditures and generating costs.