Renewable energy solutions for France

In 2003, as part of its on-going commitment to limit CO2 emissions and develop additional sources of sustainable energy, the French government launched a request for proposals for power plants producing more than 12 MW from either biomass or biogas. This inquiry was highly successful, resulting in 23 submittals which, if they were all undertaken would yield a combined total of 406 MW. Authorities evaluated all proposals and in December 2004 selected 14 biomass projects representing 216 MW and one biogas project of 16 MW for further development.

The projects selected were dispersed throughout the country, including five in paper industries, four distilleries, two sawmills and one refuse-storage facility. Under the terms of the program, each investor has committed to producing electricity over a period of 15 years and EDF, the French national utility, has committed to buying their production at a fixed rate significantly above the current market price. All installations are planned to start production in January 2007.

This program will increase the sustainable proportion of the nation’s total energy production from 15% to 21%, and since just 1% of the 15% currently comes from renewable energies other than hydro power, it marks a significant turning point in France’s development of a greener industry. A second initiative is expected later this year.

GE Energy’s technology
GE Energy designs, manufactures, commissions and services a wide range of steam turbines for industrial applications.

The Thermodyn product line, based in Le Creusot, France and continually developed over a century, includes machines up to 45 MW, tailor made for a variety of applications including oil and gas, naval, and all types of heat recovery for electricity production or cogeneration. Biomass applications to date have included sugar plants, paper mills, urban waste incinerators and olive residues. Thermodyn steam turbines are installed around the globe.

Our role in the French Program
Of the 14 biomass projects currently under way, eight involve a steam turbine generator set within the Thermodyn product range. Our solution was selected, against tough international competition, for the sole project awarded to date, a 21 MW unit that will be installed at the Upm-Kymmene paper mill in Grand-Couronne, 100 km west of Paris.

The proposed turbine offered flexibility of operation, long-term efficiency and low-cost maintenance – for the most advantageous combination of technical, economical and ecological merits as evaluated by the client.