ENGIE Solutions has chosen LACROIX, through its Environment activity, as part of an ambitious project to develop and modernize the urban heating network of Chalon-sur-Saone, in order to provide connected and intelligent solutions that will first equip 250 substations. Announced last November, the amendment concluded for a period of 10 years between Chalon-sur- Saone and ENGIE Solutions provides for the cessation of gas cogeneration coupled with a low-temperature passage of the network due to the modernization of the production means. Chalon Energie heating network, which is one of the most important in France, will also be renewed and extended, representing a total of 11 km and 3,000 housingequents served.

With an investment of EUR 25 million by ENGIE Solutions, this development will be based on an optimized use of local renewable resources, including wood energy. This new contract for the Environment activity in smart heating networks is proof that the solutions proposed by LACROIX (sensors, remote management stations, supervision tools) to optimize the efficiency of infrastructures through remote control are successful with the operators. LACROIX's expertise in this field, supported by new cyber-secure equipment designed and manufactured in France, allowed for the achievement of a very positive growth (over 30% since 2020) in this booming market.

In Europe, where they cover only 10% of heating needs, heating networks are now perceived as both an energy efficiency solution and a way to leverage large pools of renewable energy that are difficult to access or operate (wood energy, but also geothermal energy, recovered heat, etc.). As such, heating networks are an integral part of CO2 emission reduction policies in France and Germany.