Newheat, the Communauté d’Agglomération Pau Béarn Pyrénées, and ENGIE Solutions have embarked on a feasibility study for an innovative thermal storage system, backed by the European TREASURE program.
Project Aims and Benefits
The project seeks to store excess renewable energy generated in the summer for use during the winter, thereby reducing reliance on natural gas. This Pit Thermal Energy Storage (PTES) system utilizes water or mineral materials to accumulate heat.
This initiative could revolutionize urban heating networks by increasing their share of renewable energy and optimizing their management.
Inter-seasonal storage is particularly relevant for urban heating networks like the one in Pau. In summer, when renewable energy production exceeds demand, the surplus can be stored and utilized in winter to meet peak consumption.
This not only maximizes the use of renewable sources like geothermal energy but also reduces operational costs associated with fossil fuels.
TREASURE Program and Objectives
TREASURE, funded by the European Union with €9,894,688.40, aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of thermal storage systems in decarbonizing urban heating networks. The project encompasses 15 initiatives across 5 countries, involving a consortium of 24 partners.
The initial phase in France, consisting of technical, economic, and environmental studies, is expected to last one year. This phase aims to assess the feasibility of an operational demonstrator. TREASURE’s ambition is to bridge the gap between research and practice, phasing out fossil fuel dependency in urban heating networks, in line with the European Green Deal’s objectives.
The project focuses on enhancing the design, development procedures, and operation of thermal storage systems for seamless integration into existing heating networks.
Key Partners
Three key French players are involved in this project:
- Communauté d’Agglomération Pau Béarn Pyrénées: Manages a 44 km heating network, supplying 11,000 homes.
- ENGIE Solutions: Operates the network, utilizing local renewable sources, including hydrogen.
- Newheat: Specializes in renewable heat storage.
Pau’s Heating Network and Renewable Energy Goals
The Communauté d’Agglomération Pau Béarn Pyrénées recently inaugurated its heating network, comprising 169 substations and serving 208 subscribers. This network is powered 50% by the Lescar energy recovery plant, 25% by the biomass plant in Lons, and 25% by the gas plant at the University of Pau and the Pays de l’Adour. The TREASURE project aims to further increase the share of renewable energy in this energy mix.
Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Addressing Seasonal Variations
Hugues Defreville, President and co-founder of Newheat, highlights the potential of this technology to enhance energy efficiency. He emphasizes that heat storage solutions are mature and can be deployed to replace a significant portion of fossil fuel usage.
Pit storage would enable the utilization of excess summer heat to meet winter demands, addressing seasonal variations in renewable energy production. François Bayrou, President of the Communauté d’Agglomération Pau Béarn Pyrénées, notes the importance of meeting new energy needs while increasing the share of renewable energy beyond the current 75%.
The community, a pioneer in energy innovation, views this study as an opportunity to advance towards a sustainable energy transition.
Defining Key Parameters and Expanding Renewable Heating Networks
Cédric Maisonneuve, Director of the ENGIE Solutions South Territory design office, emphasizes the goal of defining key parameters for a virtuous and stable storage project.
He specifies that ENGIE Solutions is exploring all technologies capable of contributing to the expansion and greening of heating networks, making this European project particularly relevant.
The study of this innovative thermal storage system marks a significant step towards better management of urban heating networks and could serve as a model for other European cities. The success of this initiative could accelerate the deployment of 100% renewable heating networks, reducing fossil fuel dependency and contributing to European climate goals.