How Political Decisions Can Boost the Development of Geothermal Energy in France?

Abstract

Final agreement on renewable energy directive at EU level creates a positive climate for a much-needed investor confidence in the renewable energy sector. The Directive on the promotion of the use of renewable energy sources sets the framework to achieve the target of a 20% share of renewable energy sources in the final energy consumption by 2020. The attainment of this target will require the use of the diverse renewable non-fossil energy sources, including geothermal energy. The adoption of a definition for geothermal energy: meaning that it is the energy stored in form of heat beneath the surface of solid earth. Geothermal energy is a sustainable, renewable, nearly infinite energy source, delivering heat and power 24 hours a day throughout the year and available all over Europe. In France, a new Heating Fund (HF) has been created in the beginning of 2009, covering biomass, solar thermal, deep and shallow geothermal and district heating network. The HF will ensure that subsidies granted will guarantee a selling price of the geothermal MWh with a discount of 5% compared with other energies in competition. Following the adoption of this new fund, more than 20 geothermal doublets are planned and 4 already realized using the deep Dogger reservoir in Paris area. Hundreds of shallow doublets using wells at less than 100 m are in construction and the development of ground source heat pump shows a growing trend of 25% per year.