Récupération d'énergie hydraulique : petites installations d'énergie associées à de grands projets hydrauliques

Recovery of hydraulic energy: small installations associated with major hydraulic projects

¹ EDF
² CNR

Abstract

Small hydroelectric installations associated with major projects are covered, in France, by the same legal regime as pure hydroelectric installations. The hydraulic link with the larger structures usually takes one of two forms: 1) the sets transfer or recover a reserve flow which is restored to the river; 2) the sets are installed on existing structures built for purposes other than the production of energy. The reassessments of energy value resulting from the successive oil crises have led to justification of the energy benefit provided by new installations linked to existing hydraulic equipment; the projects of Electricité de France and Compagnie Nationale du Rhône represent a production of 280 millions kWh and a power of nearly 50,000 kW. For Electricité de France in particular, various examples of developments are presented, namely: - the return plant at Nèpes, downstream of the St. Etienne Cantalès dam (2,8 MW, 8 GWh); the Lamanon plant (1.6 MW, 8.7 GWh); - the Strasbourg return plant (1 MW, 8 GWh); - the project for equipping the navigation dams on the Moselle (32 MW, 180 GWh). For its part, Compagnie Nationale du Rhône contributes some thoughts on the dimensioning of the small machines used to equip the recovery installations for the low-head barrages on the Rhône. The existing installations mentioned are: Charmes, Pierre Benite, and St. Pierre de Bœuf. Others being built or projected are described: Chautagne: (2 sets) - 1.6 MW - 9.6 GWh/year Belley: (1 set) - 0.7 MW - 4.8 GWh/year Bregnier Cordon: (2 sets) - 4.4 MW - 33.8 GWh/year Projects concerning certain developments already being operated are also mentioned.