Heating and air conditioning network

Idex La Défense, whose establishments are classified as GIC and ICPE, has always prioritised the quality of the water used, while taking care to manage this resource as well as possible, both as a sustainable development approach and to reduce its ecological footprint.

Using water from the Seine to supply the hot and chilled water networks requires optimum filtration and disinfection, toavoid excessive consumption of water, as well as chemicals to treat the cooling towers (CT).

In addition to duplex softeners to increase the concentration factor of water drawn from the Seine, Idex La Défense has installed BWT ECO MXgenerators to produce a disinfectant solution, in situ and on demand, by salt electrolysis. This fresh chlorine solution, obtained using water, salt and electricity, lowers the flora in the cooling system of the CTs and ensures permanent availability of the disinfectant, with a treatment cost up to 10 times lower than a chemical solution.

As well as being exempt from the obligations of the Biocide Directive and eliminating the need to purchase, transport and store chemicals, the continuous on-site manufacture of biocide also offers real advantages in terms of employee safety, as there is no need to wear or handle chemicals.

This solution ensures the long-term future of the equipment, enhanced team safety and a positive environmental impact.

Idex La Défense is also equipped with BWT Bluwell technology to monitor key indicators relating to the installation and its maintenance in real time, and to intervene remotely in the event of a malfunction. Sending alerts at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, enhances the peace of mind of the teams, who are warned immediately if any drift or abnormal operation is detected on the site.

The BWT Bluwell technology has improved responsiveness, particularly for legionella risk, which is subject to stringent regulatory requirements. Data is collected, analysed and displayed in the form of detailed, customised reports via a remotely accessible graphical interface.

Idex La Défense is steadily reducing its impact on the environment and its water consumption within the scope of its operations. Today, annual water consumption has been considerably reduced from 470,000 m3 to 200,000 m3. This is thanks in particular to the BWT sand filters used for the water drawn from the Seine. These improvements have also led to a reduction in discharges and a 40% reduction in the consumption of anti-scaling and anti-corrosion chemicals.

"In our business, water is essential. We pay a great deal of attention to the quality of the water we use, and our aim is to manage this resource as effectively as possible, preserving it as much as possible, both in terms of use and discharge," explains Frédéric J., Deputy Director of Operations at Idex La Défense. "In the space of ten years, we have managed to halve our water consumption, thanks to the installation of innovative solutions and our investment in systems to manage and monitor water and product consumption

In addition to the exemption from the obligations of the Biocide Directive and the elimination of the purchase and transport of chemicals used to treat cooling towers (CT), the autonomous and secure production of fresh disinfectant solution offers numerous advantages for all Idex La Défense infrastructures. In particular, its adoption has led to a 90% reduction in the use of chemical biocides, which were previously stored on site, providing savings of almost €80,000 a year.”

" Producing our biocide on site, on a continuous basis, means we don't need to store any chemicals, which is a real advantage when it comes to meeting the challenges of employee safety, cost and logistics," explains Séverine B., QHSE Manager and Assistant to the Technical Manager.

 "The partnership set up with BWT in 2002 has been a real success. We have reduced our water use and discharges, improved water quality and considerably reduced the number of chemicals used in treatment operations. We hope to continue to benefit from this high level of service and the good relations between our teams, because being supported effectively by water treatment professionals is a priority. "