Preparation of a CO2-DISSOLVED Pilot Project in France: Insights into the Technical, Administrative and Financial Constraints

The CO2-DISSOLVED concept combines dissolved CO2 storage and geothermal energy production on the same site. BRGM and SLB have been working together since 2022 with the main objective of selecting a suitable site for the first CO2-DISSOLVED pilot project. Several technical and non-technical criteria must be taken into account when selecting a site. Among these, the geothermal potential of the subsurface beneath the emitting plant is key, as is the strong motivation of the site owner to participate in a first-of-a-kind operation. In parallel, high levels of subsidy are required to incentivise the final investment decision, and regulatory difficulties need to be overcome before construction can begin. 6 sites have been pre-selected, all located in the Paris Basin, a favourable area in France for low-enthalpy geothermal development. We are currently carrying out a feasibility study for one of these sites, a waste-to-energy plant in the Ile-de-France region. At this stage, most of the obstacles we face are financial and administrative rather than technical. However, it is expected that in the near future the regulations will be adapted to make it easier to implement such a hybrid project in France and certainly in Europe.