Geothermal energy in smart mode in Nice Méridia
To the north of Nice Côte d’Azur airport, near Les Moulins, the new Nice Méridia district serves as a laboratory for energy transition. A smart geothermal power plant went into operation there a few months ago. Report by Nathalie Michet.
Baptized ” Meridia Smart Energy“, a new generation geothermal power plant was shut down in November 2021 on the Nice West side, along Avenue Simone Veil, between St-Augtustin and Saint-Isidore. The network, integrated by Idex, captures the calories of the underground water drawn from under the bed of the Var. Water extracted and reinjected as it is at a depth of 40 meters. Meanwhile, the calories pass through a heat exchanger and through large heat pumps. At the end of the circuit, they supply the buildings in the district with heat and cold.
By 2032, 50 buildings should be connected to it, representing a total area of 500,000 m2. According to the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, half will be made up of housing. So far, 10% of this “eco-district” has been completed.
Reduce GHG emissions
The objective of this plant commissioned by the Métropole is in particular to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Or, according to Eduard Maldonado, director of the project, the energy produced by the plant comes from 80% renewable resources.
Thus, for 1 kw consumed, 12 kw are returned in the form of cooling or thermal energy. In addition, local authorities are promising energy prices 15% lower than average prices in France.
A smart network
Meridia Smart Energy also has a smart grid. This Smart Grid is able to measure the consumption of each building in real time. He can also anticipate the needs to smooth the calls for electricity. Also, the interconnection between all the buildings will allow, for example, those who produce surplus photovoltaic energy to resell it to their neighbour. This will prevent this energy from being distributed in the French electricity network to be consumed at the other end of France.
By 2032, the Nice Méridia geothermal power plant is expected to save 4,000 tonnes per year of GHG emissions. If the experience remains limited to a single district, it could become a model for energy transition. The thalassothermal loops of Monaco and the project of the Town hall of Cannes are other examples.