Lieu-dit Calvin, 73110 Arvillard, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Calvin
Located in the municipality of Arvillard, in Savoie, the Calvin hydroelectric power plant operates the Joudron River. It houses two Pelton turbines which develop a combined power of 750 kW.
- Intake altitude level: 716 NGF
- Restitution altitude level: 483 NGF
- Gross head: 233m
- Maximum water flow taken: 0.4 m3/s•
- Maximum gross power: 916 kW
- Maximum electrical power: 750 kW
- Average annual production: 3.05 GWh/year
A brief history of the Calvin power plant
The power of the Joudron has long been used to power various mills and forges.
The water of the Joudron is also used in the industrial process of the local metallurgical company (Leborgne – Fiskars).
The Calvin hydroelectric power plant was built in 1920 for the Société des Cartonneries de La Rochette (cardboard producer), in order to meet its energy needs.
Since 1999, the power plant has been owned by Forces Motrices du Joudron, a subsidiary of Forces Motrices du Gelon.
The Joudron River, a snow and rain river
The Joudron is a mountain river. Its source is at an altitude of 1,628 m at the place called “les sources du Gargoton”.
Its regime, upstream of the water intake, is essentially defined by snow melting contribution, due to the high altitude of the peaks surrounding it.
After the Calvin power plant, it joins the Gelon and finally flows into the Isère River.
Clean energy
The Joudron hydroelectric power plant produces an average of 3.05 GWh/year.
To achieve the same production, a thermal power plant would consume 670 tonnes of oil and release 1,500 tonnes of CO2.
A coal-fired power plant would release 2,540 tonnes of CO2 for the same energy produced.
This is equivalent to the consumption of around 1,000 households, all needs combined.
