Social landlord Paris Habitat, Engie Solutions via its subsidiary CIEC and the start-up Enerdrape are inaugurating an innovative geothermal panel installation.

The unprecedented installation of 145 panels over 145 m2 to supply 72 homes in the 11th arrondissement of Paris with sustainable domestic hot water makes this initiative the first in France.

A low-carbon innovation serving Paris Habitat residents

In 2023, heat consumption accounted for approximately half of France's energy consumption. To date, geothermal energy represents only 1% of this heat consumption in France, despite its significant potential. In February 2023, the government launched an action plan to accelerate the development of this energy. To increase the share of renewable energy to 38% of final heat consumption by 2030, this plan aims in particular to encourage the installation of geothermal heat pumps in the residential and tertiary sectors.

In this dynamic and to concretely illustrate these commitments, Paris Habitat has entrusted ENGIE Solutions, via its subsidiary CIEC and Enerdrape, as part of a non-exclusive partnership, with the design, installation, and operation of an innovative heat recovery solution. 145 geothermal panels were installed in the parking lot of a residence located in the 11th arrondissement of Paris to supply 72 housing units managed by the social landlord. Occupying a total surface area of ​​145 m2, they capture heat, which is then retransmitted to a 25 kW heat pump. The installation will generate 70 MWh each year, or approximately 25% of the domestic hot water needs of these homes, which is equivalent to the output of solar thermal panels. This innovation thus offers a sustainable and efficient energy supply solution for residents while reducing the carbon footprint of the buildings concerned by avoiding the equivalent of 15 tons of CO2 per year.

CIEC has also supported Paris Habitat since 1985 and currently operates and maintains over 30.000 homes. As part of this innovative project, CIEC also renovated the boiler room of the residence in question.

A flexible installation for virtuous and competitive heating

The solution developed by Enerdrape allows, thanks to a drilling-free installation, the installation of wall panels to capture the still untapped geothermal potential of underground environments such as parking lots, tunnels or metros in urban areas, i.e. surfaces that have already been dug.

The panels are installed on surfaces in contact with the ground, such as the walls of a parking lot, to recover heat. A hydraulic network connects the panels to a water-to-water heat pump or other equivalent energy system. The recovered heat is then used to power the domestic hot water production system and/or heating the homes.

Approved by Enerdrape, CIEC installed the geothermal panels. The installation work, which began in October, lasted three months and required a budget of €100.000. Paris Habitat may deploy other similar installations in the future.

Key figures:

• A unique installation in France
• 145 geothermal panels on 145 m2
• 25% of heat needs covered by the installation
• 72 homes supplied
• Investment; €100.000
• 15 tonnes of CO2 avoided per year

For Emmanuelle Copin, Deputy Director General in charge of proximity and quality of service at Paris Habitat: "Paris Habitat, as a social landlord, is seeking to implement solutions that allow us to control our tenants' energy costs and, where technically possible, decarbonize our facilities. The project proposed by CIEC and ENERDRAPE for a first installation in France immediately interested us: the main advantage of this solution is to use geothermal energy without drilling on the land. The proposed geothermal panels also create a less invasive construction site by being installed on the vertical walls of underground parking lots, while maintaining access to the spaces during the work. The expected gains in terms of energy savings and the ease of installation make this a solution to consider whenever we consider hybridizing our gas boilers."

For Yann Rolland, Deputy CEO of ENGIE Solutions: "This pioneering installation demonstrates our commitment to supporting the energy transition in our regions. Thanks to the technology developed by Enerdrape, we offer an innovative and sustainable solution for heat production, in line with the decarbonization objectives of the residential sector and helping to make cities more resilient to climate change."

For Margaux Peltier, director and co-founder of Enerdrape: “This installation marks a key milestone in our mission to unlock the untapped geothermal potential of underground environments for a sustainable energy transition. Building on the trust of Paris Habitat, committed to decarbonizing the residential sector, and the key role of CIEC and ENGIE Solutions in developing and integrating innovative technologies, we are demonstrating that bold yet efficient solutions like Enerdrape’s geothermal panels can sustainably transform urban heat production and use. This collaboration reflects our shared ambition to contribute to more sustainable and resilient cities in the face of climate challenges.”