The geothermal system will be installed next to the existing boiler plant. It will require extensive drilling works, in particular to create the geothermal doublet. This will be the first geothermal well to be drilled in the geological area for 20 years. Hoped-for temperature levels are between 68 and 74 °C for an average flow of 300 cubic meters of water per hour.
There are many advantages to this change for the district heating network. The main advantage is in environmental terms, because the introduction of a geothermal system will reduce CO2 emissions by around 18,000 metric tons, which is 80% of the greenhouse gas emissions currently generated by the use of fossil fuels. In addition, the use of this renewable energy will lower bills for customers and protect them from fluctuating prices for fossil fuels.
With 40 years' experience in the use of geothermal solutions, Dalkia is a major player in geothermal energy in the Greater Paris region, where it has 17 wells under operation heating more than 80,000 housing units.