The field of geothermal energy covers all the technologies used to exploit the Earth's internal heat. This is a sustainable source of energy that provides a whole range of solutions to meet a variety of needs: heating and cooling systems or electricity production.
The guidebooks produced by ADEME and BRGM are published on the geothermies.fr website. They are aimed at all the different stakeholders that may be involved in geothermal projects: contracting bodies (local authorities, professionals or private individuals) and project managers (engineering offices and drilling companies).
The latest guidebook, published in June 2023, concerns the healthcare and medico-social sector.
Near-surface geothermal energy: an efficient and sustainable option for the healthcare and medico-social sector.
© ADEME / BRGM
The healthcare and medico-social sector: 5 good reasons to choose geothermal energy
In healthcare and medico-social establishments, heating and cooling are important to the safety and welfare of both residents and care workers. Energy bills are soaring owing to the price of gas and electricity.
This sector represents over 100 million sq.m of buildings whose energy consumption is estimated at 12% of that of the tertiary sector as a whole.
Overall, the healthcare sector accounts for between 6.6% and 10% of France's carbon footprint.
Some establishments have opted for near-surface geothermal energy, a competitive energy source producing sustainable heating and cooling.
To share the experiences of players in this sector and inspire others, ADEME, BRGM and their partners have published a guide to an energy source that is still little known.
In nursing homes and university hospitals, geothermal energy is selected for several reasons:
- efficient production of comfortable levels of heating and cooling;
- controlled energy costs;
- a virtuous energy source for the planet;
- the availability of a local resource;
- an energy source that blends into the surrounding environment.
Surface geothermal energy: an efficient and sustainable option for businesses.
© ADEME / BRGM
Surface geothermal energy: an efficient and sustainable option for businesses
In partnership with ADEME and with the participation of AFPG, SER, CPME and EPE, BRGM has published a brochure for businesses on the advantages of surface geothermal energy.
5 good reasons to choose geothermal energy
- Control your energy costs
- Improve your carbon footprint
- Produce heat and cold with the same equipment
- Choose an energy that blends perfectly into its environment
- Benefit from a next-generation solution
Minimum-impact geothermal energy: a guide to the regulations in force and best practices
© BRGM / DREAL Pays de la Loire
Minimum-impact geothermal energy: a guide to the regulations in force and best practices.
BRGM and the DREAL of the Pays de la Loire region have published a guidebook on the subject of minimum-impact geothermal energy. Intended for professionals and private individuals, the guidebook starts by explaining the scope covered by minimum-impact geothermal facilities and the conditions required to implement this type of project. It then provides an overall view of the successive stages of a project, from both technical and administrative viewpoints.
Are you a project owner, a design office, a drilling company or a private individual involved in a near-surface geothermal energy project? This guidebook will enable you to quickly find all the key administrative information required to ensure the smooth roll-out of your minimum-impact geothermal project, as well as all the technical points to be complied with to guarantee the installation meets best practices and the standards in force.
Are you a private individual, a local authority or a company that has chosen to implement a near-surface geothermal solution to meet your needs? This guidebook provides the keys to understanding all the different steps of your project and essential information about your rights and obligations, as well as those of the professionals working with you.
Greater Paris Metropolitan Council: 7 good reasons to choose near-surface geothermal energy.
© ADEME / BRGM / Métropole du Grand Paris
Greater Paris Metropolitan Council: 7 good reasons to choose near-surface geothermal energy
In line with its Metropolitan Climate Air and Energy Plan (PCAEM), the Greater Paris Metropolitan Council (MGP) decided to team up with ADEME and BRGM to develop a set of arguments to encourage project owners to use near-surface geothermal energy for their projects.
With this in mind, a communication document was produced, presenting 7 good reasons:
- Controlled energy costs
- An exemplary environmental approach
- Promotion of local resources
- An energy source that can be adapted to future needs
- An energy source that blends harmoniously into the surrounding environment
- Proven technologies
- Projects facilitated by favourable regulations
Eleven testimonies were collected from people who had already implemented a geothermal energy project as well as from organisations involved in the geothermal sector.
At the same time, three web services were developed to display existing near-surface geothermal drilling sites (to date) on various online maps (updated in real time). A map of the geothermal potential of the Greater Paris Area is also being drawn up.
Near-surface geothermal energy: an efficient energy source for swimming pools and water parks.
© ADEME / BRGM
Near-surface geothermal energy: an efficient energy source for swimming pools and water parks
Half of the public swimming pools and water parks in France are 35 years old or older. In 2015, half of these pools were heated by gas. This sector could therefore significantly improve its environmental footprint by using a clean, efficient energy source.
Geothermal energy is one of the renewable energies that could be used as a solution. This type of system can produce continuous heating or cooling and would therefore be extremely well suited to this type of use.
The document produced by ADEME and BRGM – in partnership with key players in the sector – presents 6 good reasons to choose geothermal energy for swimming pool facilities.
