It is then that Lyonnaise enters the dance

Four years ago, tells Bernard Saunier, I discovered that the Parisian agglomeration valued not its waste water heat, while sewers are large carriers of calories. "This discovery is the starting point of a story that will lead to the marketing by the Lyonnaise des Eaux of technology degrees blue. In Saunier & Associés, it is indeed for a technical solution. But whenever engineers attempt to patent their ideas, they discover that they are not the first. The name of an inventor, a certain Urs Studer, back regularly. "Obviously, it had a head start on us," recalls Bernard Saunier. It is better to agree. "And, in 2006, the case is concluded.

URS Studer concedes to Saunier & Associés a contract of exclusivity on the method for the France. "Urs is an inventor at heart, not a contractor, observed Bernard Saunier, who has learned to know him. What interests him, is to improve technology and to see spread around the world. This is not a builder of empire. "This is why with his company, Rabtherm, it is at the stage craft and the solution of the assignment of license suits him well. He has also just reiterate the operation with the Koreans.

But Bernard Saunier, he had other ambitions for this technology. He therefore advertising. And, in November 2007, Saunier & Associés Gets the award for innovation in the Salon of mayors. It is then that Lyonnaise enters the dance. A visit to Zurich, where the technology works, its cadres returned excited. "They wanted all redeem remembers Bernard Saunier. But we thought can also play our part, believe that some users potential, customers of competitors of Lyonnaise, reluctant to deal with the latter. "Where a bargaining foot to foot in six months. There is no doubt that the experience of Bernard Saunier of the mysteries of Lyonnaise, which he was an influential framework in a previous life, helped him.

Co-ownership of patents

Finally, the Lyonnaise-Saunier agreement provides a co-ownership of the patent for the France and a close cooperation for the implementation of the technology. Saunier & Associés makes sizing and installation, Lyonnaise markets. "We have an exclusive implementation for Lyonnaise, said Bernard Saunier,"but this does not prevent us from working with competitors." It is true that the market is vast. Saunier & Associés estimates, the potential number of facilities is greater than 10,000 between local communities, industry and associations of co-owners. And all are not clients of Lyonnaise.

Side Lyonnaise, the rational of the operation was necessary. "We were first interested in heat pumps for energy on the sewage as water treatment consumes a lot of energy, explains Isabelle Kocher, Director-General delegate of the Lyonnaise des Eaux." This time, we have acquired technology of heat recovery on sewage upstream of the wastewater treatment plant in response to a concern of our customers local communities who are committed to their electorate with climate plans and seeking to reduce their energy factor.

In this framework of contractual relations of proximity, Lyon is well placed to equip the existing network, or replace it with any equipped sections. She developed this service offering its catalog since September 2008. "We are committed on the energy performance of the facility, said Isabelle Kocher, that is, we guarantee a minimum number of kilowatt hours per year and a minimum power." In the context of public procurement which prevails with local communities, some 30 studies of opportunities were launched. 20 Communes have expressed an interest and a first call for tenders should soon leave.