Abstract
In this chapter, we will see that geothermal energy is guided by dynamics of development that are uneven depending on the region and the nature of the projects. Use of geothermal resources for heating had a major boom following the energy crises of the 1970s, particularly in the Parisian region. High-energy geothermal projects were first developed in the volcanic islands of French overseas territories in the 1980s. Its developments in mainland France are then linked to the energy transition policy implemented in the early 2010s. However, in several regions, opponents point out the risks arising from drilling techniques used to facilitate water circulation in rocks. But criticism is also focused on economic and political aspects. The first part of this chapter reports on the first developments of geothermal energy in France and its links with energy policies. The second part deals with social aspects, evoking the controversies that arose in France from 2014 onwards and the role of consultation mechanisms in these controversial situations.
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- 1.
The term “Grenelle” refers to the multi-party debates that took place on Rue de Grenelle in Paris in May 1968, at the end of one of the largest workers and students revolts that France has seen in the 20th century. It now refers, by analogy, to any structured, multi-party debate which includes government representatives, representatives of different political sensitivities, various associations and NGOs.
- 2.
Act no 2009-967 of 3 August 2009 programming the implementation of the Grenelle for the Environment, and Act no 2010-788 of 12 July 2010 establishing a National Commitment regarding the Environment.
- 3.
However, the current Minister of the Environment has repeatedly pointed out in 2017 that this objective is not sustainable.
- 4.
The Total primary energy supply (TPES) amounted to 245.7 MTOE in 2015 and Total Energy Consumption (TFC) was 147.7 MTOE in 2014.
- 5.
Ministère de l’environnement, Chiffres clés des énergies renouvelables Édition 2016, http://reseaux-chaleur.cerema.fr/wp-content/uploads/CC-des-energies-renouvelables-edition-2016.pdf(accessed on 02/26/2018).
- 6.
http://www.geothermie-perspectives.fr/article/historique-lexploitation-champs-bouillante (accessed on 02/26/2018).
- 7.
http://www.guadeloupe-energie.gp/geothermie/2180-2 (accessed on 02/26/2018).
- 8.
The project involves the government of Dominica, the French regions of Guadeloupe and Martinique, the French Development Agency (AFD), the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME) and the BRGM.
- 9.
This project is supported by the European Commission, the French Ministry of Research through the AFME (now ADEME), and the German Ministry of Environment.
- 10.
http://www.energivie.info/PCET (accessed on 02/26/2018).
- 11.
http://blog.bio-ressources.com/non-classe/alsace-geothermie-profonde (accessed on 02/26/2018).
- 12.
The main BRGM reports are available at http://infoterre.brgm.fr (accessed on 02/26/2018).
- 13.
These companies generally request a low-temperature permit in conjunction with a high-temperature permit, in order to be able to exploit the resource even if the temperature is less than 150 °C. A draft decree aims to lower the low-high temperature threshold to 110 °C.
- 14.
Labex are high quality research laboratories created in the early 2000. They are part of a €45 billion investment program aiming at favoring French innovation.
- 15.
The last EGW workshops was held in Karlsruhe on 12–13 October 2017: https://indico.scc.kit.edu/indico/event/343/ (accessed on 02/26/2018).
- 16.
According to the document below, these German companies have achieved 8 deep boreholes in Germany and have 150 years of existence in the field of geothermal energy. http://www.fonroche.fr/sites/default/files/GEO_STRAS_Brochure_A6_FAQ_32pages%20WEB.pdf (accessed on 02/26/2018).
- 17.
http://www.brgm.fr/brgm/le-groupe-brgm/geothermie-bouillante (accessed on 02/26/2018).
- 18.
The Athena Alliance presents itself as a forum for strategic cooperation and consultation between universities and research organizations. It takes a reflective look at HSS research orientations and contributes to the construction of a research policy: http://www.allianceathena.fr/ (accessed on 01/10/2018).
- 19.
The exclusive research license gives the company an exclusive right to carry out exploration work on geothermal deposits within a defined perimeter and to apply for a concession if the resource is proven.
- 20.
This collection of citizens' points of view is done via the online system “Consultations publiques”:http://www.consultations-publiques.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/ (accessed on 01/10/2018).
- 21.
Corrected data based on Lagache 2012.
- 22.
Source: http://www.geothermie-perspectives.fr/article/production-denergie-geothermique-en-france#chiffres-pac (accessed on 02/26/2018).
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Acknowledgements
This chapter is based on research carried out within the context of the activities of the Social Sciences working group of the Labex G-EAU-THERMIE profonde (University of Strasbourg, CNRS, Electricité de Strasbourg) and was conducted within the framework of the WG 3.3 “risk governance” of the H2020 project DESTRESS, Desmonstration of soft stimulation treatments of geothermal reservoirs (http://www.destress-h2020.eu/en/home/). We would like to thanks Christine Heimlich for her critical reading of earlier versions and Nicolas Daignault for his work on the English version of the text.
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Chavot, P., Masseran, A., Bodin, C., Serrano, Y., Zoungrana, J. (2019). Geothermal Energy in France. A Resource Fairly Accepted for Heating but Controversial for High-Energy Power Plants. In: Manzella, A., Allansdottir, A., Pellizzone, A. (eds) Geothermal Energy and Society. Lecture Notes in Energy, vol 67. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78286-7_8
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