Paris Looks to Get Power From Turbines Beneath the Seine

It now seems that Paris could be looking to get power from turbines beneath the Seine. The river Seine is a historical sacred river that runs through Paris. The river inspired Monet, Matisse and even the British painter Turner, who sat on its banks to capture the scenery.

The landscape of this great river is about to undergo a subtle change. The plan is to install up to eight turbines underneath the city’s celebrated brides to raise energy from river currents. Right now Paris city hall is to launch an appeal this week for power companies to come up with suitable projects to install the turbines.

Denis Baupin, the deputy mayor, said that after a study by their urban ecology service and the French waterways, four potential sites have already been identified. One is to the west of the city, at the Pont du Garigliano, while the others are in central Paris. Two energy harnessing machines will be placed at each spot.

Baupin went on to say that at these places the current actually speeds up a little. The idea is to locate all the natural power sources that they have in Paris, and they might be able to exploit it. French energy company EDF has already declared the idea interesting.

Companies interested in the project have until the autumn to submit their proposals. The winner will be chosen next January and the first turbines or propellers installed by next spring. The bulk of the machinery to harness the current will be located under the Seine, with part of the structure of many modern hydro mills do sit above the water.