Innovation Support
Support in the development of innovative equipment and in ensuring their operational integration
Building on the EDF Group industrial experience and integrated in the heart of its R&D, our technicians, research engineers and experts offer custom designed tests to innovating industries. Our bespoke test offers meet their development needs and guarantee security, sustainability and proper incorporation into the networks to operators.
Our teams will listen to you in order to implement testing protocols and schemes that best suit your needs, from the simplest to the most complex. We can also design specific testing devices, and call upon, if necessary, experts of the multidisciplinary R&D of the first European electric utility.
We are prepared to explore partnerships for developing innovative equipments, in particular those which correspond to the future needs of the EDF Group.
Bespoke tests
The tests facilities gathered at the Renardières enable to realise the most complex testing. Our teams are able to implement test protocols and specific or innovative measurement means and to lead with flexibility test campaigns that require adjustments and questioning.
Examples of achievement :
• Development of a specific test scheme and realisation of breaking tests while accompanying the development of an innovative HVDC circuit breaker.
•Test of a DC 320 kV cable system according to the last recommandations of the CIGRE
Support for innovation
Beyond a simple provision of testing, the laboratory can be an innovation guide on the most complex matters.
Depending on requirements, we propose to design specific testing devices and associated protocols to develop and validate new equipment. We can also mobilize additional supports among the range of skills of our 2,000 researchers at EDF R&D to help solve a peculiar problem.
Examples of achievement:
•Creation of an “arc cage" and generation of power arcs with geometry and mastered power to wedge models.
•Creation of a test device and associated protocol to measure the noise of a 420 kV overhead conductor under rain to test an innovative surface treatment.
Partnerships
EDF Power Networks Lab and EDF Group have identified important innovative equipment for the development of future EDF projects as an investor, operator, or within the framework of the international business of its subsidiary: EDF International Networks.
On these matters, EDF Power Networks Lab is ready to work on the development of these equipment, in the study of their reliability and ageing and in the development of a co-financing of corresponding testing.
Tripartite assemblies with academic partners can also be considered.
Examples of equipment:
DC innovative equipment, HV power electronics, innovative equipment with digital interface, equipment without SF6, static or dynamic cables for ENR offshore projects ...