Public Service delegation contract for a new geothermal network in the area of Bordeaux : Won!
12/01/2017News
Fully committed to the energy transition in its area, Bordeaux Métropole (comprising the city of Bordeaux and some of its suburbs) is taking another step forward in its Climate Plan with the creation of the Plaine Rive Droite geothermal heating network, which will serve the neighbourhoods of Brazza, Niel, Benauge and Garonne-Eiffel.
To best meet the city’s expectations, our subsidiaries ENGIE Cofely and Storengy joined forces to submit a single integrated tender for deep geothermal energy, combining ENGIE Cofely’s expertise in heating networks and Storengy’s expertise in subsurface exploration and development. In selecting ENGIE’s tender, Bordeaux Métropole has chosen a partner that is committed to the long-term success of all aspects of this ambitious project, which marks a revival of deep geothermal energy in France. The concession has been awarded to us for a 30-year period.
ENGIE Cofely and Storengy’s expertise will allow us to face all possibilities. A geothermal solution will be chosen in any case.
82% renewable energy
Bordeaux Métropole Council has chosen geothermal as a green source of energy for its heating network. In a strong sign of its commitment, the Council has decided to explore a new geological horizon with the aim of finding a deeper and hotter resource – the first time this has happened in France, outside the Paris region, in 30 years. The natural heat of deep aquifers will meet 82% of the heating needs, with the rest being supplied by natural gas.
Work on the heating network will begin once all the administrative permissions have been obtained. Drilling of the two geothermal boreholes, comprising a production well and a reinjection well, will start in early 2019 and last for four months. It will be carried out by Storengy, an ENGIE subsidiary with extensive expertise in geoscience and in the design, development and operation of boreholes.
Blending naturally into the landscape
Designed by Bordeaux firm Moon Safari, the heat production plant will make reference to the local industrial heritage. Blending naturally into the landscape, this iconic building will be constructed from sustainable materials.
House of Civic Energy
ENGIE will build a Maison des Energies Citoyennes (House of Civic Energy), which will play host to city residents and school groups, with interactive learning programmes catering for a range of needs. The House will adjoin the heating plant, making an ideal base from which to visit the energy generating equipment. It will bring together all the project stakeholders, forging lasting links between them that will work to the benefit of the energy transition.
Project’s key figures
– 28,000 homes served
– 25 km network length
– 30 year contract
– 19,000 tonnes less CO2 emitted per year
– 82% of needs met by renewable energy
– €43 million investment
– 38 direct and indirect jobs, including 10 workplace integration jobs
Geothermal energy in the heart of the energy revolution
Our Group aims to become a key player in the development of geothermal energy, renewable, carbon-free and baseload energy source for power generation and heat production. The international and local ambitions put it at the heart of the energy transition, and we have all the competences to play a major role in those growing markets.
The development of geothermal energy was one of the many topics discussed during the ENGIE 800, in December 2016. Topics include:
How to promote “green” district heating among local authorities? Read the poster.
Thassalia, the first national Geothermal HVAC plant using the advantage of sea water temperatures to provide heating in the winter and cooling in the summer, while reducing CO2 emissions by 70%: Read the poster.
More widely, participants also discussed about the need to build partnerships between the France Networks BU, the BtoT Métier and international BUs in the field of heating and cooling networks, in order to put our expertises and initiatives at the service of our transformation: Read the poster.