French city to develop geothermal district heating network

France’s Bordeaux municipality is to develop a district heating network powered by geothermal energy.

To this end, Engie Cofely and energy storage firm Storengy have won a 30-year contract to develop the Plaine Rive Droite heat network on the right bank of the Garonne river.

The city aims to meet 82 per cent of its heat demand with geothermal energy, with the remainder provided by natural gas.

According to Engie Cofely, the geothermal plan is France’s first in 30 years outside the Paris region.

Work is planned to begin as soon as all necessary permits are obtained, with drilling expected in early 2019.

Bordeaux Métropole aims to integrate the heat network in the landscape of the Plaine Rive Droite without distorting it. Local firm Moon Safari has proposed a design that invokes the local industrial heritage and is built from sustainable materials.

Engie said it will also build an energy centre to educate the public.

Source: Decentralized Energy
French city to develop geothermal district heating network