Grenoble Celebrates a Century of Hydroelectric Innovation: Lessons for the U.S.
Table of Contents
- 1. Grenoble Celebrates a Century of Hydroelectric Innovation: Lessons for the U.S.
- 2. A Year-Long Celebration of Hydroelectric Heritage and Innovation
- 3. Challenges and Opportunities for Hydropower: A U.S. Viewpoint
- 4. the Impact of Climate change on Hydropower
- 5. The Need for Policy Support and Innovation
- 6. What specific policy actions can the U.S. take to support the growth and modernization of hydropower, as discussed by Dr. Aris Thorne?
- 7. Hydroelectric Innovation: A Conversation with Renewable Energy Expert, Dr. Aris Thorne
Centennial festivities commemorate the 1925 International White House and Tourism Exhibition, highlighting the future of hydropower and its relevance to America’s energy landscape.
Published:
Grenoble, France – On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the city of Grenoble officially launched its centennial party of the 1925 International White House and Tourism Exhibition, a landmark event that showcased the burgeoning potential of hydroelectric power. Back in 1925, the exhibition drew a staggering 1.05 million visitors. The question now is: how many will attend the numerous events scheduled throughout this anniversary year?
A Year-Long Celebration of Hydroelectric Heritage and Innovation
The celebration, spanning until October 2025, features over 100 events designed for both industry professionals and the general public. The aim of this anniversary, according to Roland Vidil, President of Hydro 21 and the event’s organizer, is to not only “celebrate the centenary of the 1925 exhibition and its heritage but also to explain that hydroelectricity is a sector of the future.” Hydro 21 is collaborating with various partners, including the Metropolis of Grenoble, Grésivaudan, and the community of communes of Oisans, to deliver a comprehensive program.
For a complete listing of events, interested parties can visit the official website.
During the opening ceremony, Roland Vidil underscored five key events taking place in Isère, France.Two of these events directly build upon the legacy of the original exhibition:
- April 1st: Industry Transition and development Day at Maison Bergès, Lancey-Villard-Bonnot: This event will feature the Hydro focus conference, with testimonials from four industrialists discussing the enduring impact of “white coal” (hydroelectricity) on modern industry. Speakers include Jim Davril (AMCOR), Eric Gerondeau (STMicroelectronics), Christophe Jenft (Fiber from Isère), and Delphine Martinez (Ahlstrom). Economist Philippe DESSERTINE will also contribute insights into the future of hydroelectricity.
- May 21st: 100th Anniversary of the Perret Tower in Grenoble: This celebration includes an exhibition and a show,although the tower’s reopening to the public is slated for early 2026. Concurrently, the Greener building on the Grenoble peninsula will host conferences and round tables open to the public, focusing on training, research, and knowledge transfer.
The remaining three highlighted dates are geared toward professionals, focusing on the future of hydroelectricity:
- June 10th: Meeting at Grand’Maison Dam, Vaujany: This meeting will explore the flexibility and storage capabilities of hydroelectricity as key assets within the renewable energy sector.
- September 23rd: Territorial Economy Meetings, bourg-d’Oisans: Details regarding this event are forthcoming.
- October 14th and 15th: Business Hydro Trade Show, Alpexpo: This traditional trade show will feature Sébastien Pailhes, managing director of Artelia, as the guest of honor.
Challenges and Opportunities for Hydropower: A U.S. Viewpoint
While Grenoble celebrates its hydroelectric heritage, the future of hydropower faces both challenges and opportunities, especially relevant to the United States. As Pierre Gandit, vice-president of the community of communes of Oisans and mayor of La Garde-en-Oisans, noted, “We soon come to a point of saturation of sites (hydroelectricity). only new technologies will make it possible to produce more and otherwise.This is one of the great challenges of this century for the hydraulic field.”
This “saturation of sites” is a pressing concern in the U.S. as well. Many of the most suitable locations for large-scale hydropower dams have already been developed. The focus is now shifting towards:
- modernizing Existing Infrastructure: The U.S. has a significant number of aging hydropower facilities. Upgrading these plants with modern turbines and control systems can increase efficiency and output without requiring new dam construction. For example,the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington State,a colossal structure built in the 1930s,is undergoing continuous modernization to optimize its performance.
- Pumped Storage Hydropower: This technology acts as a giant battery, storing excess energy generated from other sources (like solar or wind) by pumping water uphill to a reservoir. When energy demand is high, the water is released to generate electricity. Pumped storage is crucial for grid stability as the U.S. integrates more intermittent renewables. Examples include the Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project in Massachusetts.
- Small-Scale and Run-of-River Hydropower: These projects have a smaller environmental footprint compared to large dams. Run-of-river projects, in particular, minimize water impoundment and operate with natural river flows. While their energy output is lower, they can contribute to local energy needs and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
| Hydropower Type | U.S. Examples | Benefits | Challenges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large Dams | Hoover dam, grand Coulee Dam | High energy output, water management | Environmental impact, site limitations |
| Pumped Storage | Northfield Mountain (MA), Ludington (MI) | Grid stabilization, energy storage | Siting requirements, energy losses |
| Small-Scale/Run-of-River | Numerous projects in the Pacific Northwest | Lower environmental impact, local energy | Lower energy output, site-specific |
the Impact of Climate change on Hydropower
Gandit also highlighted the critical issue of glacial melt, stating: “Take into account very quickly the disappearance of glaciers at a dizzying speed in the power plant management strategy already in place. This disappearance will call into question the power supply process of power plants. The disaster of Bérarde We cruelly reminded us.”
This concern resonates strongly in the American West where snowpack, a crucial source of water for hydropower, is declining due to climate change. Reduced snowmelt leads to lower river flows, impacting the ability of hydropower plants to generate electricity consistently. In California, as an example, prolonged droughts have significantly reduced hydropower output, forcing the state to rely more on other energy sources.
Strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on hydropower in the U.S. include:
- Improved Water Management: Implementing more efficient water management practices to conserve water resources and optimize hydropower generation during periods of drought.
- Diversifying Energy Sources: Relying on a mix of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and geothermal, to reduce dependence on hydropower and create a more resilient energy system.
- Investing in Climate Research: Supporting research to better understand the impact of climate change on water resources and develop adaptation strategies for hydropower operations.
The Need for Policy Support and Innovation
Gandit called for a “Voluntary policy at the level of the State” relating to the “good conservation of hydroelectric sites” and in the implementation “Bold innovations in a less restrictive administrative environment concerned with the general interest above all.”
In the U.S.,navigating the regulatory landscape for hydropower projects can be a significant challenge. Streamlining the permitting process while ensuring environmental safeguards is essential to encourage investment in hydropower modernization and new development. The Department of Energy (DOE) is actively involved in research and development efforts to improve hydropower technologies and reduce their environmental impact. These efforts include:
- Developing fish-amiable turbines: These turbines are designed to minimize harm to fish populations, a major concern for hydropower projects.
- Advancing environmental monitoring technologies: These technologies help to assess and mitigate the environmental impact of hydropower operations.
- Exploring new hydropower concepts: Such as closed-loop pumped storage systems that do not rely on natural water sources.
The future of hydropower in the U.S. hinges on embracing innovation, addressing environmental concerns, and implementing supportive policies. as Grenoble commemorates its hydroelectric past, the U.S. can draw valuable lessons from its experiences and chart a course towards a sustainable and resilient energy future.
What specific policy actions can the U.S. take to support the growth and modernization of hydropower, as discussed by Dr. Aris Thorne?
Hydroelectric Innovation: A Conversation with Renewable Energy Expert, Dr. Aris Thorne
Archyde News Editor interviews Dr. Aris Thorne, a leading expert on renewable energy, to discuss the centennial of the White Coal Exhibition in Grenoble and its implications for the future of hydropower in the U.S.
Archyde: Dr. Thorne, thank you for joining us today.Grenoble is celebrating a century of hydroelectric innovation. What’s the meaning of this event, especially for an American audience?
Dr. Thorne: thank you for having me. the Grenoble exhibition in 1925,showcasing “white coal,” brought hydroelectricity to the forefront. It’s a festivity of past achievements and an opportunity to reflect on the future of hydropower,especially as the U.S. explores its own energy transition.
Archyde: The article mentions both challenges and opportunities for hydroelectric power in the U.S. Can you elaborate on those?
Dr. Thorne: Certainly. The main challenge is site saturation. Many prime locations for large dams have already been developed.Though, on the opportunities side, we have significant potential in modernizing existing infrastructure, like the Grand Coulee Dam, employing pumped storage, and developing more small-scale and “run-of-river” projects with consideration for the environmental impact.
Archyde: Climate change is also a factor. How does it impact hydropower?
Dr.Thorne: Climate change directly affects the water supply, particularly the snowpack that feeds many hydropower plants, as detailed in the article. The reduced snowmelt leads to lower river flows, and we’ve already seen impacts in places like California with prolonged droughts, which decreased hydropower output. So, water management & diversification of renewable sources are key, along with better research into the subject.
Archyde: The article also stresses the need for policy support and innovation. What are some specific actions the U.S. can take?
Dr. Thorne: Streamlining the permitting process for hydro projects is critical, as the article points out. It enables faster approvals. Also, continued Department of Energy (DOE) investments in things like fish-kind turbines and new hydropower concepts, such as closed-loop pumped storage, is essential.This will spur more investment.
Archyde: The success of these types of improvements in the face of dwindling resources is a critical challenge. Do you think that technological leaps will be able to catch up to the pace of climate change?
Dr.thorne: That’s the question we must answer urgently. It’s not just about technology; it’s the will of the collective, and the funding behind it. It’s a challenge, but with proper innovation strategies, we can find a way to make renewable energy more efficient and accessible, and also less impactful to the habitat. I think that it’s possible but will require great effort.
Archyde: Dr. Thorne, thank you for these insightful thoughts. This discussion highlights a critical point in U.S. energy transformation, and a great deal more will be possible with smart choices.
dr.Thorne: Thank you for having me.
