(en) France, Alternative Libertaire AL #251 - Deep geothermal
energy: A little heat, a lot of profit (fr, it, pt) [machine
translation]
After the shale gas, one of the new fads of "energy transition" of capitalism seems to be
deep geothermal (GP). Local, efficient, renewable and above continues, promising a stable
energy cost, all the advantages are on the side of this technology. But this is without
taking into account the incredible complexity of its installation, use, and its
monopolization by companies that already think in future global energy giant. ---- The
European directives in terms of greenhouse gas reduction plan to include 23% renewables in
the energy mix by 2030. In there the French state wants to be "exemplary" and prepare a
mix to 20% by 2020 presented this winter at COP 21 (United Nations climate conference in
Paris in December 2015). This surge of good intentions can not hide a genuine desire to
conquer high technology markets where France still has the tools to fight abroad. Thus,
after two decades of fruitless international summits in terms of climate or environment,
States shall present their "innovative companies" ready to conquer the markets of energy
without ever solved a single problem.
Drink and disappointments
In the case of the GP, a few companies are leading the way and the state follows. With the
powerful Eurazeo investment fund in its portfolio, the company has Fonroche to carve the
lion's share of the French market, and even global in the coming decades. Holder of six
exclusive drilling permits on the eight French, the company intends to monopolize the
website conducive to technology. His pioneering position enables it to negotiate
territorial quasi-monopolies in the sector, in various states of Europe, but also
elsewhere (Australia...).
The GP is a local energy, since it is to operate at certain points in the territory of the
heat sources beyond 3000 meters deep, near the base of the rock. Hopefully, in these
places, find water (or geothermal fluid) at 150 ° C directly reusable in heating networks
of buildings of a city.
Besides the difficulty of locating and possible failures during discovery less profitable
than expected after the website made drilling, this technology causes various
inconveniences to local residents.
This "gentle approach" extraction fluid is to "clean" the natural faults by injecting
water at a reduced pressure of 100 bar, which is a hydraulic stimulation compared with
hydraulic fracturing, used for gas shale, which is more than 300 bar. This does not
exclude that in fluid poorly operator push a little lever, thereby causing
micro-earthquakes up weakening the rock dwellings.
Other drawbacks are added again. Chemical additives are introduced into the basement via
lines that can become porous, resulting in a risk of groundwater pollution. If the
drilling is too unprofitable, the state provides industrial Geodeep through a fund of 50
million, but against the power plants are not insured for the risks they pose to the
population.
The potential of the basement is unknown, we do not yet know the amount of energy
available. In any case, the units are designed to operate thirty years away hundreds of
years needed for a source of energy can be considered "renewable". And what of the heat
produced in summer? Between the fuzzy knowledge and experimental technology, industrial
exploitation seems premature.
Strasbourg, copy ecocity
Still much higher than the Government, the Urban Community of Strasbourg (CUS) has decided
to sit at the table in 2010 and provides for a development at 30% renewable energy by
2020. The heating takes on a prominent place, with several flagship projects: the network
connection of the waste incinerator producing heat for Neuhof and Meinau, new wood boiler
Wacken, anaerobic digestion of wastewater. These three sites are outsourced to private
operators.
The big piece of the envelope energy transition, however, would amount to the GP.
Fonroche, holder of license Strasbourg, a territorial monopoly-417 km² wants to build a
cluster (cluster) plants to produce 80% of the urban heat. Of course with the support of
public funds, through ADEME [ 1 ], the university (and its new industrial geothermal
Chair), Europe (NER 300 program). These plants will be the first of this type installed in
the world.
Struggles and future plant in Vendenheim
Several projects are already contested in Germany, and in Strasbourg: one of Robertsau.
These struggles are successful for the moment put the bad projects, site by site.
Residents' associations and residents talk and elected retreat, or pretend to fall.
One of the major points on which the original residents of Robertsau are winning is the
location of the plant at a Seveso site, in the heart of the port to oils, with explosion
and a steam geyser fears in the bazaar. When Fonroche company responds that "there is no
free land other" , it means that the site is not chosen for its location wise, but
compared to the territorial capacity of the city.
And when Fonroche planning another plant in Vendenheim, several kilometers from the place
referred to start is on a site acquired by Eurazeo.... A strategic site for the future
development of the CUS, but that has more to do with the land with the basement. Situated
200 meters from the houses and next to an oil storage site, some residents begin to unite.
But Fonroche now has a well-rehearsed arguments against and argues his expertise when
there is conflict.
These struggles are limited to each town or village concerned and coordinate still little.
They also remain focused on nuisances and risks of this technology, without addressing the
scam posed by these "green technology" that only serve the profits of a few dreams bosses.
Jean André (AL Gard)
http://www.alternativelibertaire.org/?Geothermie-profonde-Un-peu-de
