The Nuclear Age: Infrastructure for Energy

France's nuclear program required unprecedented infrastructure innovation. Each reactor needed massive cooling water supplies, electrical grid connections, and transportation networks. The scale dwarfed previous projects—the Gravelines nuclear complex alone required more concrete than the Eiffel Tower.

Cooling system innovations balanced efficiency with environmental protection. Rather than once-through cooling that raised river temperatures, French plants pioneered closed-loop systems with iconic hyperboloid cooling towers. The Civaux plant's towers, each 178 meters tall, became landmarks. Advanced designs minimized water consumption and thermal pollution, crucial for maintaining aquatic ecosystems.

The electrical grid required similar innovation. Réseau de Transport d'Électricité (RTE) developed Europe's most sophisticated transmission network, balancing nuclear baseload with demand variations. The 400kV network, built in the 1970s and 1980s, used innovative tower designs minimizing land use. Underground cables in sensitive areas showed environmental consciousness rare in that era.