French Bel Group to Reduce Emissions at Two Plants Using BKtech Biomass Solutions • Partnership between ADEME and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region accelerating ecological transition and highlighting a more decentralized administration of the Heat Fund • Le Mans Nord Coulaines to Develop New District Heating Network • Read more about the developments in sustainable heating and cooling in this month's news update from France
The Bel Group has partnered with Swedish bioenergy company BKtech, a member of the SHC by Sweden platform, to decarbonize its production sites in Lons-le-Saunier, France, and Ulzama, Spain. As part of this project, BKtech biomass boilers with capacities of 700 kW and 2 MW will be installed at the two plants, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by more than 90%. These installations are scheduled for fall 2024 and summer 2025.
The initiative supports the Bel Group’s commitment to the Science-Based Targets initiative, with the goal of cutting GHG emissions from its operations (scopes 1 and 2) by 75.6% between 2017 and 2035.
BKtech specializes in bioenergy solutions that use wood pellets to generate industrial steam, notably for sectors with fluctuating steam and thermal fluid demands. Indicating how BKtech’s solutions can be deployed in France, John Robinson, Director France of BKtech, said, “Wood pellets are a local, renewable, and sustainable solution for industrial steam production. In France, BKtech primarily targets industries with demanding steam needs, with the fluctuating steam being the most complex in terms of decarbonization. The agri-food, paper, and laundry sectors are particularly targeted”.
BKtech, founded in 2005, has 85 employees and an annual turnover of €25 million. It manufactures its biomass facilities in-house in Blomstermåla, Sweden, with a simplified assembly process allowing for short delivery times and efficient integration with minimal operational disruption.
This partnership illustrates a successful cross-market collaboration in the energy sector, demonstrating how Swedish biomass solutions can foster greener operations in the French food industry.
Read more in article from Bio Energie International
Read more at Groupe Bel’s website
On October 4, 2024, a significant partnership was reinforced in Nouvelle-Aquitaine with the signing of two key agreements aimed at accelerating the region’s ecological transition. Étienne Guyot, the regional prefect, Alain Rousset, President of the Regional Council, and Sylvain Waserman, CEO of ADEME, formalized a multiannual framework for the State-Region Plan (CPER) and the delegation of the Heat Fund to the region.
This collaboration, which has been in place for several years, seeks to enhance initiatives in ecological transition, focusing on climate change mitigation, circular economy development, environmental protection, and sustainable development. The newly signed agreements align with the objectives set out in the Regional Sustainable Development and Equality of Territories Scheme, approved in December 2019, and the State-Region Plan Contract signed in July 2023.
In a statement on LinkedIn, Sylvain Waserman highlighted the significance of the agreements, and that the financing from the Heat Fund will amount to €24 million over the course of three years. He further emphasized the importance of local initiatives, noting, ” The most effective ecological transition is one that emerges from the territories; the detailed understanding of regional bodies enables us to act closely with engaged stakeholders”.
The agreements and new organization of the heat fund emphasizes the government’s commitment to decentralization and collaborative efforts with regional councils to enhance the region’s sustainable heating and cooling initiatives. Prioritizing three main action areas — renewable energy, energy efficiency, and waste management — the agreements aim to benefit a wide range of stakeholders, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), public entities, and the general public.
Read more in article from the French Government
On October 4, 2024, a contract for the development of the Le Mans Nord Coulaines district heating network was signed, initiating a 26-year concession contract with Engie Solutions. Present at the signing were key figures including Emmanuel Aubry, Prefect of Sarthe; Stéphane Le Foll, President of Le Mans Métropole and Mayor of Le Mans; and Yann Rolland, General Director of ENGIE Solutions.
Initiated by Le Mans Métropole, the project seeks to develop a 36-kilometer district heating network dotted with 161 substations, and with 15,000 housing equivalents connected to the network. The network will primarily utilize heat generated by Syner’Val’s Energy Recovery Unit (UVE), supplemented by planned biomass boilers. Construction of the new energy production facilities, which will include two biomass boilers with a capacity of 20 MW each, is expected to begin in 2025.
As part of the development, a thermal storage system will also be developed to store excess energy during low-demand periods and release it during peak times, which is intended to help stabilize heating costs for consumers.
In total, the district heating network is projected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 700,000 tons over its 26-year lifespan. ENGIE Solutions will collaborate with the Solenat association, which includes 50 local farmers, to implement carbon storage practices that will help offset any residual emissions from the project. The contract also includes provisions for local development, with plans to create 65,000 hours of social inclusion work during the project.
Read more in article from Engie
To stay updated on news for sustainable heating and cooling, follow us on LinkedIn, and subscribe to our Newsletter.
Sweden is at the forefront of decentralised heat networks technology. Our aim for “Sustainable Heating & Cooling by Sweden” is to facilitate knowledge sharing between British, French and Swedish stakeholders and develop and encourage environmental and economic best practice.
To find out how we can help you and your organisation, please contact our London or Paris-based “SHC” teams. We can introduce you to leading consultants, suppliers of technology and services who will be pleased to share know-how of the development of sustainable heating & cooling solutions.
