Hydroelectricity production at the Vernes power station ceased in 2020. The definitive shutdown of the machines now leaves room for the exploitation of its exceptional heritage interest.
Hydroelectricity is part of the DNA of the Romanche valley because you are in its cradle, where, at the time, white coal began to exploit the power of water. At the end of the 19thth century many torrents of the Romanche valley are captured by Charles-Albert Keller, engineer of Arts and Crafts.
The power of water has been building since the fate of Livet-et-Gavet and this still today with the Romanche-Gavet project which entered service in 2020.
Les Vernes, more than a century of history
The Vernes power station is one of those monuments for which a French heritage classification was obvious.
Built in 1918, she is one of the pioneer factories in this matter. It is established in the Romanche Valley, where, with the factories of Lancey in Grésivaudan, it all began. It presents a aesthetic and environmental dimension unusual in an industrial building.
Classified as a “Historic Monument” in 1994, this power station was designed by Charles-Albert Keller, with both technical and aesthetic concerns in mind.
Commissioned in 1918, the Vernes plant was intended to meet the increasing energy needs of Keller and Leleux establishments, producers of synthetic cast iron in Livet during the First World War.
This power plant was designed for a " water staging » All the functions of the plant, from the water chamber to the tailrace, are concentrated on the same plot. Charles-Albert Keller described his project in 1925: :
First, I obeyed personal tastes in this case. Then I wanted to demonstrate that white coal and tourism are compatible, and then I wanted to make a contribution to the beautification of a country to which I am strongly attached. Finally, and this is very dear to me, to offer my staff, whom I esteem, further proof of my affectionate concern by allowing them to benefit in particular from these beautifications which here somewhat enhance their lives and those of their loved ones.
The upper terrace, on the same level as the road, is fitted out as French garden with path, trees, flowerbeds bordered by vases, monumental fountain (in fact a charging chamber/balance chimney) and fence. The pylons originally supported floodlights.
The lower terrace where is the central is at the bank level. It is a large courtyard partly planted with trees, which allows you to admire the whole thanks to the distance and the variety of viewpoints. It is bordered to the north by the Romanche and to the west by the water of the tailrace, giving the'castle effect' protected by a moat crossed by a “drawbridge”.
To connect the two levels, the grand monumental staircase, in cast cement, is clearly inspired by that of the Vizille Castle (layout, balusters, niches). It is a functional circulation device, but even more so a element of theatrical surprise and discovery instrument places. It was originally lit and apparently had a calvary.
A monumental factory that intrigues because, visible from the side of the road, many of you want to visit it. It will soon be closed, perhaps its reconversion project will allow you to discover it…
Let's do it now a jump in time 102 years old, because the Romanche continues its hydraulic epic with…
Today, the Romanche-Gavet power station
With its commissioning in 2020, this new power station will have been the largest French hydroelectric project in the last ten years.
Le valley redevelopment will lead to the replacement of six obsolete power plants with a single underground power plant. More powerful, better integrated into the landscape and respectful of the environment, this new underground equipment will replace the 6 power stations and 5 current dams in the Romanche valley.
The average annual production is estimated at 560 million kWh or 155 kWh more than the 6 current power stations combined. This increase of 30% corresponds to the electricity supply of a town of 60 inhabitants.
On the 10 km of the commune of Livet-et-Gavet, the installation includes 3 areas :
- Le dam-water intake, located in Livet, built in the original river bed, will replace the 5 current dams.
- La 9,3 km feeder gallery connects the dam to the power station. Entirely underground, it replaces the kilometers of canals and penstocks that currently crisscross the valley.
- The power station, its two caves and galleries are also underground.
Un lieu de mémoire was created to trace hydroelectric history of the valley. The Romanche Museum in Rioupéroux will now be the witness of the 6 power stations replaced by the Romanche-Gavet project.
Romansh Museum
The museum is dedicated to two highlights of the Romanche Valley linked to the geology and industrialization. He presents the development of these activities, the lives of men et the history of landscapes.