Exposition : La centrale hydroélectrique de Baton

This year marks a major historical event in the Oisans region, rich in history and heritage: the Centenary of the White Coal Exhibition, which was held in 1925 and helped to raise awareness of the importance of hydroelectricity and renewable energies in the development of our region.

The White Coal Exhibition was a key moment in the industrial and energy history of our country, highlighting the innovations linked to hydroelectricity that shaped the future of our region.

Exactly 100 years ago, Grenoble hosted an event of international significance: the White Coal and Tourism Exhibition.
This landmark event, located in what is now the Parc Paul Mistral, which was then named the Parc de l'Exposition, highlighted the tremendous potential of hydraulic energy, propelling our region to the heart of the industrial revolution. It was a huge success, especially in Isère. The slope, a thousand-year-old enemy of our mountain farmers, became a major ally of economic and technological development.
With over a million visitors, this exhibition showcased the technological innovations of the era and affirmed the role of hydroelectricity in economic and industrial development. A century later, its legacy is more relevant than ever!

The Romanche Museum is taking part in the celebrations by offering this exhibition on the Bâton hydroelectric power station.
The exhibition presents, thanks to the rich Keller photographic collection preserved at the Romanche Museum and
in the Dauphinois museum competition, the extreme conditions in which this power station was built.
The workers had to demonstrate acrobatic skills, moving along narrow ledges above the void, digging through particularly hard rock.