Situation

The Technocentre covers an area of 150 ha in the municipal district of Guyancourt, some 20 km west of Paris. It is set in a semi-urban area and the closest homes are on the edge of the grounds. Integrated with the surrounding landscape, the centre implements a policy of heritage protection with a view to preserving the nearby forests and natural areas.

First ISO 14001 certification earned in 2000.

The plant renewed its certification for 3 years in July 2006.

Download :

- site's environmental policy 2007 (french)

- environmental statement 2004 (french/english)

---

Water consumption

The site recycles stormwater collected from roofed areas to water planted green areas and top up ponds.  This action made it possible to save 19,400 m3 of drinking water in 2007. In addition, processes consuming large quantities of water (cooling, etc.) operate in a closed loop. 

Between 2005 and 2007, drinking water consumption fell significantly (10%). If water used to water green areas is added to this, the total reduction is 13%. This fall is mainly due to better leak detection, introduction of a water saving system and more favourable climatic conditions.

---

Water-borne effluents

The Technocentre site was built from the outset with two separate underground networks for draining water: one for wastewater from human activities and one for storm water.

The site’s wastewater (sewage, handwashing water, kitchen water, etc.) is discharged through a specific system in Saint Quentin en Yvelines. It is piped to the wastewater treatment plant in Achères.

Stormwater that collects on all the site’s covered surfaces is discharged, after treatment, into the environment (rue de St Marc) or reused to water the 80 ha of green areas and top up ornamental ponds (2.5 ha).

---

SO2 and greenhouse gas emissions

SO2 and greenhouse gas emissions are generated by combustion in the boilers that heat the premises. Since average winter temperatures have been falling since 2002, heat production has increased as have atmospheric emissions.  However, the fuel used, natural gas, is one of the least polluting fuels and the boilers are fitted with low-Nox burners.

---

Waste

The Technocentre has introduced a target for waste recycling. This indicator is one of the environmental targets in the Management System, and it is also used to calculate the profit-sharing bonus of employees, based on site performance.  The aim is to achieve a 65% recovery rate by the end of 2008. To achieve this goal, more than 70 types of waste are collected separately.

At the end of 2007, 64% of the total volume of waste generated on the site was recycled, and 97% of the waste volume recovered (matter + energy).  These results were achieved by improving the sorting of waste by personnel, and by extending sorting to all activities: industrial, support and catering.

---

Energy

Fuel-oil is used only for safety tests of generators to provide an emergency electricity supply (lifts, lighting of emergency exit signs, etc.). 

Changes in the time settings for lighting of work platforms, use of energy-efficient light bulbs and a new IT system made it possible to keep electricity consumption stable despite the increased workforce.

The increase in gas consumption can be attributed mainly to lower average winter temperatures and to an increase in the number of working days at the site since many sectors work with entities located in different parts of the world.  However, the increase was mitigated to some extent by shutting down the boilers when the outside temperature rose above 15 °C.

---

Highlights

 

• Liquid discharges: optimised stormwater management

Contrary to popular belief, stormwater run-off onto road surfaces can have a considerable impact on the natural environment unless preventive measures are taken (SS, COD, traces of hydrocarbons, etc.).  The Technocentre has been designed in an exemplary manner to avoid these problems. First, the flow of water is channelled into drainage ditches along the car parks, and is then directed to a holding basin from which it undergoes 3 levels of filtering.  The treated stormwater is then reused to top up the 2.5 ha of ornamental pools and to water green areas, or else is discharged into the natural environment in the Villaroy basin.  A balanced eco-system has been established over the last 6 years, thanks to the excellent physical and chemical properties of this water (bathing quality standard), combined with the high level of oxygenation arising from the many artificial waterfalls and the introduction of fish to combat algae proliferation.

• Energy consumption 

The Guyancourt site has initiated and pursued a number of actions to optimise heating and lighting resources.

• the new computers automatically switch to standby mode when they are not used, 
• energy-saving devices have been introduced (energy efficient light bulbs)
• optimised lighting schedules have gradually been introduced (lighting switches off automatically after 12 hours but personnel can switch it back on if necessary). 
• thermal protection devices have been installed in the new building which close at night to limit nocturnal heat exchanges between the building and its environment.  

• Water consumption

Drinking and sanitary water consumption has fallen by 37% in six years, calculated on the basis of staff numbers.  This result was achieved by controlling the water supply process, by using a building automation system that detects leaks earlier, and in 2005 by installing a system on all the site's taps that reduces the quantity of water used each time by 25%.

• Environmental management

All Technocentre staff are informed about environmental issues.
To achieve this objective the Technocentre environment team works with 100 people in the various site departments.
To further improve the awareness of site personnel working in tertiary activities, a network of correspondents specific to tertiary activities has been set up.  Each year the number of participants in this network increases.