The champion of micro water power
© Patrick Smith
Olympic canoe champion in Atlanta in 1996, Frank Adisson today manages a company devoted to micro hydropower. An energetic change of profession!
Alongside the large hydroelectric power plants, the use of micro generating plants on the countless waterways in the region may also be a key to future economic development in the Ecrins. Private individuals have already understood the advantages of the system, as the energy produced is sufficient to power one or two households, a farming outhouse, or a workshop, and excess can be sold to the electricity company!
The principle is simple: the power of a waterfall is transformed into mechanical energy thanks to a turbine, and subsequently into electricity thanks to a generator. The amount of energy produced depends on the strength of the flow and the height of the waterfall (from 100 kilowatts to 10 megawatts). Professional advice is necessary in order to make the most of this type of system.
This is where Frank Adisson, Olympic double canoe champion, comes in. He knows the area well, as he often trained in the white water stadium in L'Argentière-la-Bessée. And so it was that he decided to bring his micro hydroelectricity company here, along with his wife and children. "I no longer take part in competitions", says the company director. "But whenever I get the yearn, I take off in my kayak for a beautiful run down the Gyr, the Onde or the Durance."
Contact us
Hydro Développement
24, avenue de Vallouise
05120 L'Argentière-la-Bessée
(0033) (0)4 92 22 32 26
E-mail contact 
Website
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Topic : Art and cultural heritage
Published on : 2008/12/23
Tags : micro hydroelectric plants
Pays des Ecrins said :
I found mseylf nodding my noggin all the way through.
Posted il y a 164 jours
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