The redevelopment of the Renault Trapèze/Ile Seguin industrial wasteland into the Rive de Seine urban area brings an innovative geothermal solution to meet the heating and cooling demands of this modernized district. By leveraging high-power thermo-refrigeration pumps and seasonal thermal storage, this project sets a new benchmark for sustainable urban energy systems.
Project Objectives
- Simultaneous Heat and Cold Production: Thermo-refrigeration pumps utilize the fractured surface layer of the Chalk aquifer to generate heating and cooling energy efficiently.
- Optimized Heating: Hot water production at 80°C (instead of 90°C) improves energy efficiency, with network returns at 65°C, sufficient for domestic hot water (DHW). When necessary, water is boosted to 105°C.
- Seasonal Thermal Storage: Heat and cold are stored within the aquifer, balancing energy demands across seasons and reducing reliance on external energy sources.
Local Context
The Rive de Seine energy network includes:
- A heating network (105°C/65°C), projected to deliver 73.1 MWth by 2020.
- A cooling network (4.5°C/14°C), projected to deliver 22.8 MWth by 2020.
To meet these requirements, 16 wells (6 cold and 10 hot) are strategically grouped to optimize flow rates and energy storage. Seasonal storage involves alternating heat injection in summer and cold injection in winter, stabilizing aquifer temperatures over time.
Innovative Mining and Modeling
The project employs advanced aquifer modeling to simulate thermal storage dynamics:
- Without Seasonal Inversion: Constant production at 14°C is achieved by alternating water injection at 30°C and 5°C, maintaining thermal balance without creating hot or cold storage.
- With Seasonal Inversion: Reversible geothermal wells alternate between production and injection, creating stable thermal reservoirs in the aquifer. Over four cycles, the temperature stabilization improves energy efficiency, reducing thermal losses.
High-performance thermo-refrigeration pumps and reversible wells ensure seamless seasonal energy transitions.
Sustainability Impact
The Rive de Seine geothermal system offers:
- Energy Efficiency: Enhanced performance coefficients through optimized heating and cooling cycles.
- Reduced Environmental Impact: Seasonal storage minimizes energy waste and reliance on fossil fuels.
- Cost Savings: Efficient aquifer management reduces operational costs for heating and cooling.
A Model for Urban Sustainability
This innovative geothermal system exemplifies the potential of sustainable energy solutions in urban development. By integrating advanced geothermal engineering with seasonal thermal storage, the Rive de Seine project aligns with global energy transition goals, reducing carbon footprints and supporting renewable energy adoption.