Where there is smoke there is often fire, but most certainly heat! Precisely, don't go thinking this is some kind of winter mist that I managed to photograph early in the morning! This smoke comes from the earth! It's what is called geothermal energy, that is heat that comes naturally from the "dogger" layer, about 1,800 meters from below the ground. In Paris several buildings use this "free" energy and more and more are equipped every year. I found this "spring" in the 5th arrondissement at rue Saint Jacques, just behind the Saint Severin church.
I've often wondered what this thing was, and now I know - thank you! I took this shot back in 2011 I think it was but never suspected it had such an esoteric source!
ReplyDeleteWow! Who knew? (Well, you did, of course—and merci bien for enlightening the rest of us!)
ReplyDeleteI think is time to use new energies, it's urgent. Paris is doing good. Journalist photo. Hugs Eric.
ReplyDeleteVal
Barcelona Daily Photo
I've never heard of this and I wonder why other cities aren't using it (unless Paris is the only place it exists). Both photos, Eric's and yours, too, Sab, are intriguing.
ReplyDeleteHow cool is that? Paris is always thinking green. That's why she is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Great photo, and information Eric.
ReplyDeleteSome parts of downtown Boise, ID use geothermal heat, and have since the late 1800s. But I haven't anything as dramatic in downtown as your photo! :-)
ReplyDeleteSaint Severin uses geothermal for heat? Amazing! And fabulours. I'm intrigued.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, we have this of Saint Severin: http://www.artsmia.org/viewer/detail.php?v=12&id=772
I love the mood of the moment,the photo. And the enlightenment for us. Yes!!
ReplyDeleteHow did you know this was geothermal energy and not some construction work (that is what I would think after living in NYC for so long)? The reality of this is facinating.
ReplyDeleteOne rarely knows what can be found under the earth.
ReplyDeleteHow I love this composition.
ReplyDeleteYeah, how did you find all that out, you smarty pants Eric! And when you look at the thing it looks like all that energy is just being lost into the atmosphere... Oh well, there must be a rational explanation somewhere - there usually is! Thanks Eric ;~S
ReplyDelete@Sab. Wow your photo is great. Very dramatic as they say!
ReplyDelete@Alexa and @PHX and @Sab! Actually I am not 100% sure to be quite frank, but I cannot see any other explanation than than (I'm sure about the other geothermal sources in Paris though).
@Valery "Hugs Eric". Hugs to you Irredento Unrbanita, I hope life is treating you well ;-)
@Petrea " I wonder why other cities aren't using it " I'm sure many other cities do (as Ms M. points it out in Boise, actually). But you don't always build above a heat source!
@Lois "How cool is that? " Cool?! No; no it's hot! (I know, terrible joke...)
@Jeff. "Saint Severin uses geothermal for heat? " I don't think so, but it's just off Saint-Severin. I don't know if they use it yet. Funny you have a painting of Saint-Séverin in Minneapolis!
I've never heard of this before? Pretty interesting...I wonder where I've been all this time?
ReplyDeleteGeo-thermals - great idea - great sfumato
ReplyDelete