Biomass heating plant Prytanée national militaire de La Flèche 72

The Prytanée national militaire de La Flèche, a prestigious establishment in the Sarthe region, is currently in the middle of a major project to install a new biomass boiler room, replacing the old oil-fired system. The boiler room, which will be operational for the 2024-2025 season, represents an investment of six million euros. It has been designed to heat a vast area of 35,000 m² comprising various buildings, including boarding schools, classrooms, lecture theatres, laboratories, offices and a gymnasium, all located in the Henri-IV district.

The works, which began in July, mark an important stage in the modernisation of the ‘bahut’, as this emblematic building is known. The current heating system, which is still in use, is obsolete and energy-consuming, running on an 80,000-litre tank of fuel oil. This old boiler room will soon be replaced by a much more ecological and efficient installation, thanks in particular to the integration of the AA Biomasse toploader.

This new facility will stand out for its extraordinary dimensions. The biomass heating plant will be equipped with three boilers, including a main wood-fired boiler with a capacity of around 1,400 kW. This boiler will consume between 70 and 80 tonnes of wood per week, or around 1,500 to 2,000 tonnes per year. This system will meet the site's colossal energy needs, while reducing its environmental impact through the use of renewable resources.

In addition to the wood-fired boiler, the system includes two gas-fired boilers for maximum flexibility. The first, with an output of 1,000 kW, will be used as a back-up for domestic hot water and to heat the swimming pool outside the heating season. The second, with an output of 3,000 kW, will be activated when required, in particular during maintenance operations on the wood-fired boiler. To install these two boilers, the Prytanée had to connect to the town's gas network, enabling a smooth transition between wood and gas as and when required.

Lieutenant-colonel Emmanuel Allard de Grandmaison, second-in-command of the Prytanée, highlights the advantages of this new system, which he describes as ‘much more virtuous’ than the old oil-fired system. Not only is the new system less expensive, it also meets strict environmental protection standards, while offering great energy resilience.

This ambitious project embodies the Prytanée's desire to equip itself with modern, sustainable infrastructure that meets the requirements of energy efficiency and respect for the environment, while preserving the comfort of the occupants of this historic establishment. The commissioning of this new-generation biomass boiler represents a turning point in the Prytanée's energy management, marking an important step towards more responsible and sustainable management of its resources.