Renewable cooling: geothermal energy key for meeting climate challenges

In recent years, France has experienced a number of major heatwaves, with temperatures reaching or exceeding 40°C in several regions. The need for air conditioning is increasing, and conventional air conditioners, although effective at cooling the inside of buildings, heat up urban areas by releasing warm air outside, thus contributing to the heat island effect (+0.5 to +2°C).

To cope with summer heatwaves, which could become more frequent as the climate crisis intensifies, geothermal energy stakeholders are reiterating the importance of renewable cooling in the energy transition. This local technology could be particularly useful in enabling urban areas to cope with particularly severe summers.

The importance of renewable cooling in France's energy transition

The fight against climate change and the challenge of energy independence against a backdrop of great geopolitical instability require the use of all renewable energies and, in particular, the energy of the Earth, geothermal energy.

Geothermal energy is the only renewable energy capable of producing heat, cold, cooling and electricity at the same time, with high energy efficiency, 24-hour availability and no visual impact on the surface. It offers a host of advantages. Its ability to produce cold and cool air locally, without contributing to the creation of urban heat islands, and with little or no greenhouse gas emissions, makes it a major asset at a time of energy transition and the search for sustainable solutions for cooling buildings.

As the main source of renewable cooling and the fifth largest source of renewable heat, geothermal energy is one of the renewable energy sources that France has at its disposal to help combat climate change, meet its national and international energy transition commitments and increase its energy sovereignty.