French greenhouses to use recycled energy
On the 6th February, an agreement for the innovative project that fights against global warming was signed in the Pontenx-les-Forges energy recovery unit.
The unit treats an annual 40,000 tons of waste and already transforms heat energy from the oven into electricity, producing 15,000 MWh/year, ie the consumption of a town of 6,000 habitants.
The heating network will provide hot water for 10 ha of tomato greenhouses for an estimated 5,000 ton annual production with a 7MWh power, ie 3 times more energy than that produced by a turbine. Energy is transferred to a hydro-condenser then stocked in an enormous 2,000m3 ''boiler''.
The project between Tiru (long term operator of the Pontenx-les-Forges site), Cideme (their subsidiary), EDF, the Sivom du Born and the Grands lacs greenhouse producers will generate about 100 employment opportunities.
Installation of the heat network over the 10 ha of greenhouses should begin shortly with completion before the end of the winter. The first harvest is expected at the beginning of 2015.
