The high cost of pointlessly burying the potential of deep geothermal in France

Deep
geothermal energy in Strasbourg is a potentially game-changing resource that
can provide low carbon heat and electricity to homes and industry as well as an
important job creator in its own right. Ending all support mechanisms
for geothermal electricity production, as proposed in the Multiannual Energy
Programme draft, could mean a total halt to deep geothermal investments in the
territory, burying Strasbourg’s geothermal industrial ecosystem and depriving
an area of one of its most valuable assets.

The goals of the EU Green Deal, including
net zero emissions by 2050, will not be met by a single technology, process or
policy. The challenge is too great and the reality on the ground in Europe
varies too much to ignore the local resources, natural or human, in devising
the multitude of paths that must be taken to drastically reduce emissions and
protect our way of life.

Unlike the geothermal energy used in other
French regions, the Rhine geothermal resource is located at greater depths and
higher temperatures. Higher heat enthalpy allows both electricity and heat
production, but requires higher upfront investment due to the depth of the
boreholes.

Cities in France and across Europe are
delivering a shared energy transition, but to complete the journey they must be
able to make use of their best local assets and they must be supported by other
levels of government. They cannot do it alone.

The “Eurométropole de Strasbourg” (Strasbourg
urban area) aims to achieve a 100% renewable energy supply by 2050. This
commitment is both political, voted unanimously by the Council of the
Eurométropole de Strasbourg in 2017, and technical, implemented through the
recent drafting of a 2050 Energy Roadmap.

The Multiannual Energy Programme must allow
cities to develop their resources if the EU, as a whole, is to deliver on its
Green Deal. To do otherwise is to waste the best opportunity we have to deliver
a shared energy transition.

The post The high cost of pointlessly burying the potential of deep geothermal in France appeared first on Energy Cities.

Fuente: ENERGY CITIES
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