Drinking Electricity From Grasse
Drinking water is full of energy !
From now on, inhabitants from the Cannes basin, when pouring drinking water from the tab, will have to keep in mind that this water is used to have the light! On December 22, David Lisnard, Chairman of SICASIL (Intercommunal drinking water syndicate of Cannes great basin) carried out the putting into service of an innovative hydroelectric micro-powerstation. The SICASIL is an example cited at national level in terms of price of water, reliability of drinking water network and green innovations. The objectives of SICASIL are to contribute in an innovative and effective self-sufficient power supply in the Alpes Maritimes as well as the preservation of the environment. Since 2006, the SICASIL has been producing photovoltaic electricity from more than 2,000 m2 solar panels mounted on the roofs of its facilities and has engaged in "blue" power production, totally renewable, from the water driving force, through micro-turbines in the drinking water network. This major project will enable the SICASIL to develop a energy supply of 840 kW for a production of 3.5 million kWh per year, equivalent to the annual consumption of 1,700 homes.
The micro-powerstation put into service is located on the Canal de la Siagne, in the district of Marigarde in Grasse, at the foot of a 33 meters-high fall. Having gained strength because of the fall, the water of the canal is derived through a micro-turbine built in parallel. After pressing the turbine, the water then continues on his way. With a capacity of 150 kW the micro-turbine will provide an annual electricity production of about 500,000 kWh, equivalent to the average annual consumption of 250 households. The amount of investment of this facility amounted to € 610,000. Marigarde's investment is part of a first phase of work for the realization of three micro-powerstations for the total amount of € 1.4 million, which has financial support from the Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur region, the ADEME (Agency for Environment and Energy Management), the FEDER (European Regional Development Fund) and the Alpes Maritimes County Coucil. With the financial support of these organizations and the strict control of the budget, the ROI time of the Marigarde site is 8 years! After Grasse, the town of Pégomas will host in 2012 a new hydroelectric plant.
