Heatwave Solutions: Finding Refreshing Relief
In the heart of Orléans, France, the Caisse d'Allocations Familiales (CAF) offices have undergone a significant transformation, thanks to the installation of a geothermal energy system. This innovative solution has not only contributed to a decrease in the CAF's gas consumption costs but has also resulted in a significant reduction in energy costs over the past five years.
Sylvain Deverge, the unit manager and security manager of the offices, oversees the daily operations. He shares that the geothermal system powers the machines in the offices and cools the building, maintaining a comfortable temperature even during the summer months. The offices are cooled using geothermal energy, which has resulted in a temperature that is seven degrees lower than the outdoor temperature, a fact that the staff members find advantageous for clear thinking.
The geothermal system does not use cooling gas, making it an eco-friendly choice. Twelve wells, each going down 90 meters deep, passing through the Loire, power the cooling system. This system helps maintain the health of employees and collaborators by avoiding dry air, a common issue with traditional air-conditioning systems.
The building, which dates back to the 1980s and was not designed with air-conditioning, has been adapted to harness the benefits of geothermal energy. The CAF in Orléans is, in fact, the only Caisse d'Allocations Familiales in France to use geothermal energy.
Odile Gérard, deputy director of the CAF in Loiret, has stated that the geothermal energy system has allowed for a reduction in energy costs. Since the installation of the geothermal energy system in 2019, the CAF in Loiret has seen a 44% decrease in electricity consumption. Despite an increase in gas consumption costs, the CAF in Loiret has managed to reduce its overall energy bill due to the decrease in consumption.
This shift towards geothermal energy is a testament to the CAF's commitment to sustainability and cost-effectiveness. By leveraging the earth's constant underground temperature, the geothermal system provides a stable, renewable source of heating and cooling, significantly lowering reliance on conventional heating and cooling systems. This results in energy savings over time, making it a wise investment for the CAF in Loiret and potentially for other office buildings as well.
Read also:
- Artificial Fuel Explanation: Might Synthetic Fuels Prolong the Lifespan of conventional Internal Combustion Engines?
- Airbus readies for maiden flight test of hydrogen fuel-cell engine of megawatt class
- UAE and Finland boosting their efforts in Arctic research and weather forecasting
- Japan's distinctive journey towards carbon neutrality, outlined at the G7 summit in Hiroshima.
