Veolia Aims To Utilise 400 Gigawatt Of ‘Untapped’ Local Energy Reserves – Forbes

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he environmental services provider Veolia has announced plans to tap into 400 Gigawatt of what it describes as local energy reserves, with a series of new targets around bioenergy, heat networks and energy efficiency.

Speaking at an event in London, Veolia’s chief executive Estelle Brachlianoff said it is “uniquely positioned” in the local decarbonizing energy market, which she estimates is worth around €500 million.

Brachlianoff added there is an “untapped reservoir” of 400 GW of unused local energy reserves, including heat, water and non-recyclable materials, which she said currently go to waste in Europe.

Specifically, she explained this includes untapped bioenergy, waste heat and cooling, efficiency gains and expansion in district heating networks, as well as energy efficiency in buildings and industries.

She told delegates that if these 400GW reserves could be fully utilised, then it would be equivalent of reducing the EU’s dependence on fossil fuel imports by 30% and avoiding 420 million tonnes of carbon emissions.

Brachlianoff said the estimate of 400GW could be multiplied by four or five times if extended across the rest of the world.

“We can no longer aff0rd to waste or lose energy,” Brachlianoff added in a statement.

“With 400GW of untapped potential that could save us from importing fossil fuels, let’s accelerate the development and implementation of these crucial solutions of local decarbonizing energy.”

In order to achieve this, Veolia has set itself ambitious targets to further develop its portfolio driving its energy sector forward.

Brachlianoff said these targets include being the premier provider of district heating and cooling networks in Europe by 2030, as well as being the leading energy efficiency services business in Europe and the Middle East by that date.

Veolia’s chief financial officer, Claude Laruelle also spoke at the event about how the EU is pushing for more biogas production, as part of its plans to reduce the amount of natural gas being used on the continent.

Laruelle said Veolia plans to increase its bioenergy and renewables capacity to 8GW by 2030.

He added Veolia is also looking to reduce the carbon footprint on closed landfill sites, by harnessing methane and installing solar panels.

He said it is also looking to develop its energy flexibility and auxiliary services, and aims to offer 3GW of flexible capacity by 2030.

Laruelle said these services will become more important as more intermittent energy sources are used on the grid.

Brachlianoff also told the event that a lack of money was not an issue when it comes to developing these local decarbonised energy systems, but rather issues around getting planning permission and permits.

She said it can up to four years in some countries to get official authoritization to put solar panels on a closed landfill site.

“We even can aim higher, but we have to mobilise and get quicker at delivering this type of energy,” she said.

“Because we are talking about an untapped reservoir of local decarbonized energy, lying under our feet. So, what are we waiting for? I’m not waiting. We’re acting, and Veolia can act even quicker.”