Overview
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Read the articleAUTHOR
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Sylvain PERRIN: Agrégé de génie électriqueIUT de Saint-Dié-des-Vosges , GEII department
INTRODUCTION
Small hydroelectric power plants (PCH), with their low power, run-of-river location, decentralized operation and connection to the LV or MV grid, differ significantly from the large facilities managed by EDF. In many cases, they were built in place of factories or mills using water power. As such, they are heirs to the first systems to exploit this renewable energy source. Last but not least, their sheer number makes them a dispersed source of energy, and their management is an important current issue.
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Small hydropower plants
Hydraulic sizing
Bibliography
References
Economic data
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Current situation
In 2000, some 1,700 independent private producers generated 7 TWh, i.e. 1.5% of French electricity production or 2% of national consumption, and 10% of French hydropower production. For the record, French consumption in 2000 was 424 TWh. EDF operates 550 sites with capacities ranging from 100 kW to 1,800 MW. Table 1...
Installation and connection regulations
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Authorizations and decrees
In France, there are two procedures, depending on the size of the work required to develop a site on a watercourse:
authorization request for minor sites ;
concession applications for major sites.
Numerous...
Standardization
- Postes de livraison établis à l'intérieur d'un bâtiment et alimentés par un réseau de distribution publique HTA (jusqu'à 33 kV) - NF C 13-100 - avr. 2001
- Installations de branchement à basse tension - NF C 14-100 - janv. 1998
Organizations
Agence de l'environnement et de la maîtrise de l'énergie (Ademe) http://www.ademe.fr
Groupement des producteurs autonomes d'énergie hydroélectrique (GPAE) http://www.gpae.com.fr
Manufacturers (non-exhaustive list)
ESAC Énergie (Voight Siemens Hydro) http://www.eurocooIer.com/turbine.htm
Alstom Power http://www.power.alstom.com
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