China EDF R&D Centre

[This animated film presents the EDF China R&D Centre, based in Beijing, which brings together 35 research engineers across three teams to support the Group’s activities in China and contribute to its innovation projects. Active in the fields of nuclear energy, renewable energy, urban energy systems, electric mobility and AI, it draws on China’s innovation ecosystem to develop tomorrow’s energy solutions.]

Welcome to the EDF China R&D Centre

It comprises 35 research engineers and 3 teams:

• Modelling for Generation
• Integrated Energy Solutions
• Digital Innovation

Our missions

Contribute to the development of EDF’s business activities in China and actively participate in the Group’s innovation projects.

Our activities

Nuclear
We support the development of Chinese nuclear technologies.

Low-Carbon Urban Energy Planning
A service for our external customers, urban planners, cities and developers.

Renewable Energy, Energy Storage and Advanced Cycles
We share feedback and lessons learned from the most innovative Chinese technologies.

Decentralised Energy Systems
For heating systems combining centralised and decentralised networks, renewable energy and flexibility at neighbourhood level.

Digital Innovation
We experiment with and develop innovative technologies drawing on China’s ecosystem.

Advanced Power Systems
Maintain a mutually beneficial technical relationship with local stakeholders in the energy transition.

Electric Mobility
Pragmatic solutions deployed in China can provide inspiration for the Group.

Artificial Intelligence
Advanced algorithms and applications in the energy sector.

The China R&D Centre works closely with the Group’s other R&D sites in France and around the world.

Researchers from here and elsewhere takes you to meet Xueqi Miao at the EDF China Centre.

Xueqi Miao: Hello everyone, I’m Xueqi.

I’m at the EDF R&D Centre in China, located in Beijing.

I lead the E-mobility activity, which is part of our Integrated Energy Solutions team.

[The Axiom]

Question: How did you get to where you are today?

Xueqi Miao: Before joining EDF, I worked as an engineer on transport planning and modelling projects. Today, I mainly report to the R&D team in France.

As you may know, the French and Chinese e-mobility markets are very different.

The scope of my work depends on the fundamental needs, that is, what has not yet been translated into an R&D project.

At our R&D Centre, we did not want to limit ourselves to e-mobility. We also wanted to explore how e-mobility can interact with other areas, such as the electricity market, APP and hybrid systems.

[The Centre]

Question: Can you describe it and explain its missions?

Xueqi Miao: The China R&D Centre is located in Beijing’s central business district and can be reached by bus and train.

We support local Chinese business units on certain projects, such as biomass pumps and urban district heating and cooling networks.

We provide technical support from the initial project phase through to the operational phase.

Here at the Centre, we work flexible hours, with the option of working from home one day a week of our choice. We also choose our workspace at the office. So each day can begin alongside new people.

We have a diverse group of talented people, with colleagues from different regions of China, France, of course, and also Peru.

I really enjoy interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds.

[The Median]

Question: Passions, work-life balance

Xueqi Miao: This year, things have returned to normal, with more time spent with our colleagues at the office and after work. Thanks to the EDF China Union, we organise many activities. Today, my colleagues and I are going to play badminton.