P3, a pan-European warehouse owner and developer, faced the challenge of providing a sustainable energy solution for a new 19,000 m² logistics center in Rouen, northern France. The site, a former brownfield, required a heating solution that minimized environmental impact. However, traditional renewable energy options like solar and wind were insufficient or unpredictable for this project. Geothermal energy, a less commonly used renewable source in France, presented a potential solution but came with significant uncertainties, including high upfront costs, variable site suitability, and a lack of comprehensive data to support its broader adoption.
To address these challenges, P3 partnered with energy efficiency expert Accenta to implement a pioneering geothermal energy system at the Rouen site. They employed Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES), a system that utilizes geothermal probes to store and retrieve heat from 200 meters underground. This system provided 77% of the building’s heating needs, with the remaining 23% supplied by an air-source heat pump. The geothermal system, capable of delivering approximately 365kW of power, was further enhanced by on-site solar panels to increase sustainability. Despite the complexities and risks associated with geothermal energy, P3's innovative approach successfully navigated these challenges, demonstrating the feasibility of geothermal heating in the logistics sector.
The successful implementation of the geothermal system at P3 Rouen reduced the building's carbon emissions from heating by approximately 90%, positioning the warehouse as a leader in clean energy adoption within France and across Europe. This project not only met the client's high heating demands but also provided crucial data that could support the broader adoption of geothermal energy in the future. By proving the viability of geothermal energy in a commercial setting, P3 has paved the way for similar projects, contributing valuable insights into the economic and environmental benefits of this underutilized energy source. This pilot scheme underscores P3's commitment to innovation and sustainability, demonstrating the potential for geothermal energy to play a significant role in reducing the carbon footprint of modern warehouses.