In Marseille, a new solution has been developed to take advantage of the locally available renewable energy: using the calorific energy held in the Mediterranean Sea.
The project is a real example of innovation that allows for energy transition and efficiency, therefore consistent with plans to make the Euroméditerranée quarter an example of a sustainable city.
Built at the Marseille-Fos Port, the marine geothermal power station Thassalia is the first in France, and even in Europe, to use the sea's thermal energy to supply linked buildings with power for heating and cooling — over an area which will eventually comprise 500,000m² — while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70%.
ENGIE CEO Isabelle Kocher said: "The Thassalia inauguration is an opportunity for me to appreciate the involvement of this beautiful region in energy transition, especially in terms of renewable energy development and continued commitment to improve building energy efficiency.
"The marine geothermal power station serves as a new innovative display of this approach. Thanks to its strong local presence and a wide range of expertise, ENGIE – a leader in energy transition – accompanies such projects taking into account the various territorial challenges."
ENGIE's innovative solution was brought to life through the expertise of its subsidiaries, ENGIE Cofely for thermal matters, and Climespace for district cooling.
All the technical elements of the power station were created by the company's teams; Ineo and Cofely handled electricity, Axima and Cofely covered internal networks, and Axima also provided half of refrigeration units.
A three-kilometre network will provide energy for the buildings during construction and renovation of the zone, spanning from the CMA-CGM Tower to the Marseille Cathedral. Currently, the connected buildings are the Docks (Constructa), the Calypso and the Hermione (Euromedcenter), and the Golden Tulip.
Soon will come the Constructa towers: the Marseillaise, the Floreal (Euromedcenter), Castel, and the Parc Habité d'Arenc, whose main client will be Nexity.
