Investigation of a district heating network expansion possibility with a 60% share of renewable energy input: A case study – Sevran district heating network in France

Abstract: Climate change is making energy an important matter for scientists, politics and industries. Public concerns and energy supply limitations are changing the rules of energy markets. Fossils fuels are becoming expensive and energy policy makers encourage the development of renewable energies. Every energy sector is impacted by those changes. With a significant potential in reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and fossil fuels dependency, the heating market is moving towards greener solutions. It is within this context that Dalkia is developing district heating solutions. This French company is one of the two large actors in the heating market in France and try to keep being part of the energy sector. This thesis work was realized within Dalkia and focuses on a study case: Sevran district heating network. This network provides about 50 GWh of heat with a 60% share of renewable energy (biomass). Developing this network is one way of increasing the renewable share in France. This master thesis tackles two extension possibilities. The study case starts with drawing the state of the existing district heating network. This allows to know a consumption limit in order to keep the 60% share of renewable energy. The district heating network is then modelled with a software called Termis to know hydraulic limits. Extension projects are simulated with this same model to evaluate their technical feasibility. An economical study is finally performed. The study concludes that both extensions are technically feasible, but only one is economically relevant for Dalkia. This master thesis was also the opportunity to observe the French heating market from an industrial point of view. Sevran study case is a typical example of how district heating companies are changing considering economy, energy policies and public acceptance.