Biomass boilers and DHC network projects in lead in the French Energy Agency’s Heat Fund Retrospect for 2023 

On July 8, 2024, The French Environment and Energy Management Agency (Ademe) released statistics from the distribution of Ademe’s Heat Fund in 2023. Over the course of 2023, more than 1,400 new renewable energy and heat recovery installations received support from the Heat Fund. The increase in the number of installations, from 900 in 2022 to nearly 1,400 in 2023, is attributed to the growth of renewable heat contracts, especially in rural areas, primarily utilizing biomass resources. 

The Heat Fund primarily finances investments (€513 million) with a smaller portion allocated to studies, training, and communication. Biomass boilers received the most substantial investment support (€221 million), followed closely by DHC networks, which received €198 million to finance a total of 337 km of networks. Additionally, geothermal projects (both surface and deep) were supported with €59 million, heat recovery equipment with €25 million, solar thermal systems with €22 million, and biogas valorization equipment with €8.5 million. According to Ademe, the projects funded in 2023 will produce 2.82 TWh/year of additional renewable and recovered heat, with biomass energy contributing the most (47%), followed by heat recovery (28%), geothermal energy (12%), and solar thermal energy (2%). These installations are expected to reduce approximately 626,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. 

Over the past 15 years, the Heat Fund has supported over 8,500 renewable energy and heat recovery installations, including 3,800 km of DHC networks, with €4.28 billion in aids generating nearly €14 billion in investments. This has resulted in an additional 45.4 TWh/year of renewable and recovered heat production, equivalent to the heat consumption of about 5 million homes

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The town Remiremont initiates $18 million DHC network project 

After presenting the project on February 12, Dalkia has now declared its readiness to begin construction of a DHC network in Remiremont. The network has already secured agreements with key clients, including the local hospital, housing provider Vosgelis, the Porte des Vosges Méridionales community, and the city itself, accounting for 73% of the planned capacity. 

Additional potential clients, such as OGEC du Saint-Mont and Hôtel Spa Le Chapitre, are expected to confirm their participation this summer. Dalkia East Region Director Benoît Dujardin anticipates that over 90% of subscriptions will be secured by late summer, highlighting the project’s viability.  

The project involves laying 9 kilometers of underground pipes across five zones from July 2024 to early September 2025, beginning in the South-West area on July 22. Other zones will follow, with a biomass heating plant featuring a 3 MW wood-energy boiler along with existing production facilities to minimize environmental impact. 

Dalkia will also renovate the biomass and gas heating systems at Lycée André Malraux and the gas boiler at the hospital. The project’s €18.1 million investment is supported by Dalkia, Climaxion, ADEME, the Grand Est Region, and energy savings certificates, making it financially feasible. 

Read more in article from Remiremont Vallees

Saint-Junien to launch new biomass heat network  

On June 24, the Mayor of Saint-Junien (Haute-Vienne), and the Director of the Southwest Territory of Engie Solutions, signed a 25-year public service delegation contract to create and operate a new biomass-fueled DHC network. 

The network is set to serve 45 buildings as well as infrastructure throughout the city, stretching from the Northeast to the East, and then extending to the Southwest. The new DHC network will be connected to the historic center, educational institutions such as Paul Eluard high school, cultural and recreational facilities like the aqua-recreational center, along with the hospital and the town hall.  

With biomass covering 90% of the heating needs, the network is estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3,461 tonnes annually—an 83% reduction for the buildings connected to the network. This is comparable to eliminating 18,900 car trips between Saint-Junien and Paris. The new boiler plant will also feature rooftop sun panels, further minimizing its environmental footprint. 

Read more in article from Environnement Magazine

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