| Abstract |
The development of geothermal energy in France began as the result of the two energy crisis in the 1970s, with an important development of activity from 1978 to 1987, when the energy prices fell. More than 70 geothermal district heating operations using lowenthalpy resources were set up during this nine-year period. They were devoted to producing heating and hot water for around 200,000 housing units. During the same period, research was initiated into the potential of Hot Dry Rock (HDR). In addition to these two major activities, other actions were carried out, such as: - the promotion of heat pumps to exploit shallow aquifers for building heating, - the prospecting and development of high-enthalpy resources in the French Overseas Departments, with the construction of a small electric power unit in Guadeloupe, - the implementation of operations using lowenthalpy resources for agricultural uses such as fish farming and greenhouse heating. During the early 1990s, in view of the cheap energy prices, the authorities decided to progressively reduce their financial support for the promotion of renewable energies. Nevertheless, they maintained support for two priorities as regards geothermal energy: (i) resolving the scaling and corrosion problems affecting the geothermal district heating plants located in the Paris region, so that the exiting plants could be maintained in operation, and (ii) the continuation of the HDR research programme. In 1997, with the Greens being elected into the French Parliament and with the necessity of controlling CO2 emissions following the recommendations announced during Kyoto Conference, the French authorities once again began to express their interest in renewable energies and energy management. In 1998 they decided to increase their financial support for these activities. An active policy managed by ADEME was set up and became in operation in the beginning of 1999 with the following priorities being planned for geothermal energy: ï continuation of the HDR programme, ï dissemination of ground-source heat-pump technologies, ï development in the use of high-enthalpy resources in the French Overseas Departments, ï development in the use of metropolitan low-enthalpy resources with an extension of the existing geothermal District Heating plants to new consumers, and an extension of the duration of the Long Term Guarantee System by 10 years. |