WorldChanging: Warmth generated by sweaty passengers as they commute on the Paris Métro may be used to heat a block of low-income flats located near the Pompidou Centre in the city centre. This could slash the building’s energy bill and carbon footprint by a third, according to the property’s owner.
The temperature in nearby Rambuteau Métro station stays at a toasty 14-20C degrees all year round thanks to the heat generated by passengers, trains and other machinery. Paris Habitat-OPH, the owners of the building, plan to use the underground heat to warm up water as it courses through pipes. It will then be pumped to the surface into an underfloor heating system in the block of flats.
Heat Synergy: Paris Métro to Warm Flats [WorldChanging]
Innovative idea. I’m sure something like this would go down great in London as well.