The challenge
Intermunicipal public cooperation institutions (EPCI) with more than 20,000 inhabitants are obliged to incorporate compliance with the PCAET (territorial climate-air-energy plan) into their strategy. In this context, the challenge for Toulouse Métropole is to sustain the existing clean and natural geothermal resource, develop the heating network for new users and optimize the share of renewables. Created in 1976, the network was originally 4 km long. It was supplied by the Ritouret geothermal well thanks to a 1,580-meter-deep water table with water at 58 °C. At the time, 2,200 housing equivalents were concerned.
Customer objectives
In 2017, Toulouse Métropole launched a call for tenders to develop, manage and optimize the Blagnac district heating network, with a renewable energy coverage rate of over 50%, and connect it to Toulouse-Blagnac airport at a competitive price.
Veolia's solution
Veolia undertook to optimize the use of the deep geothermal well in the Ritouret district by creating a 2 km extension to the network and connecting new subscribers, for example the Toulouse-Blagnac airport, a major heating consumer; putting a second deep geothermal well back into service to supply a water sports centre (Ramiers swimming pool) 85% by geothermal energy; and building a 1.7 megawatt biomass heating plant; thus guaranteeing a distributed energy supply made up of 74% renewable energy within the perimeter.
Innovation
Communicating automated systems have been installed on the various infrastructures to transmit information such as temperatures or consumption in real time to Veolia's Hubgrade supervision centres. Customers can thus be advised on how to manage their consumption and the installations can be remotely controlled and monitored.
Eventually, the energy delivered will contain only 52 g of CO2 (compared to 81 g previously) per megawatt-hour delivered
3,600 metric tons of carbon emissions avoided each year, equivalent to the CO2 emissions of 1,800 cars
A tariff on average 20% cheaper for users
Customer benefits
Environmental performance
• The green energy produced has reduced CO2 emissions by 35%.
• The proportion of renewable energy in Toulouse Métropole has risen from 67% to 74%.
Economic performance
• The cost of heating for users is lower and stable: on a bill per dwelling of around 500 euros per year, Veolia's offer will create savings of 100 euros per year.
Societal performance
• This offer guarantees inhabitants’ comfort and reduces energy insecurity at the same time as enhancing the value of real estate assets.
Contract type: public service delegation, concession
Contract start date: October 1, 2017
Contract term: 20 years, until September 30, 2037
Scope: city centre, Toulouse-Blagnac airport, Ritouret district, Ramiers swimming pool, Bélisaire residence, Guillaumet gymnasium and college, and collective housing in the Cèdres district
Number of inhabitants concerned: 2,500 housing equivalents
Sector of activity: municipal
Expertise
Geothermal and biomass energy production
Planet
Toulouse-Blagnac airport is taking part in the DEMETER project, a Toulouse Métropole initiative that brings together some thirty airport stakeholders and aims to reduce its ecological impact. The contract with Veolia enables it to supply its main boilers with energy derived 74% from renewable sources (geothermal energy and wood boilers) and contribute to the success of the project.
People
Over the duration of the contract, Veolia employs apprentices for up to 300 hours of work.