Our scientific community

A community of experts for the research

Through its scientific excellence, R&D has developed a network of more than 300 partnerships in France and abroad with universities, research institutes and industrial and academic partners. Among its most prestigious international partners, R&D includes MIT and Columbia University in the United States, Imperial College and the University of Manchester in Great Britain, Tsinghua University in China and NTU in Singapore.

Discover the work of researchers by browsing through their publications, thesis, patents, scientific or educational books, and design codes.

Folder

R&D INSIDE - Open innovation

Open innovation is a EDF R&D tool covering optimization of existing activities to creation of new works, new workflows to the evolution of corporate culture...

Book

BOOK - The territories of energy transition

New territories, new energy portfolios, new business models, new modes of civic life, new players, new balances...

Book

BOOK - Extreme natural events: statistical theory and risk mitigation

Before an extreme natural event (flooding, torrential rain, storm, earthquake, etc.) happens, it is essential to have...

Book

BOOK - Electrical systems of tomorrow

The electricity system is changing fast, and it lies at the heart of energy transition and the fight against climate change.

Our awards and prizes

Our prizes and trophies

Every year, there are several awards and trophies, and events supported by EDF

Learn more (in french)

Our theses and publications in figures

40

Theses defended in 2019
26

works in the R&D collections
1933

patent titles in 2019
682

patented innovations

Patents and HAL

Patents filed

Read about our patents

Browse our patents (in french)

HAL-EDF portal

Visit the HAL-EDF portal dedicated to scientific publications by our researchers

Join HAL-EDF

Calculation codes

For its activities, EDF R&D develops calculation codes which are available to you.

Calculation codes

Kiosque

R&D, Engineering and Production working together for the nuclear energy of tomorrow

Nuclear energy has a bright future! An even safer, more competitive future. This vision shared by all of the EDF Group, in partnership with the CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission), Framatome, and Orano, pushes R&D, Engineering, and Production to work together to innovate in many areas.

Microgrids: a value opportunity for the EDF Group

How can a decentralised power systems approach overcome the energy challenges of tomorrow? One answer is microgrids, which EDF R&D has been working on since 2014 to prepare for the future of this field.

Heat pumps in buildings

For over 30 years, heat pumps have constantly improved in terms of their performance and reliability. A Coefficient of Performance (COP), which is the ratio between 'thermal energy supplied and electricity consumed', is used to define the heat pump's performance. Today, the best heat pumps have a COP of 5. These heat pumps provide five times more energy than they consume.

The industrial heat pump

The amount of energy consumed by French industry stands at around 450TWh/year, including 300TWh for the production of heat. Research carried out by EDF's R&D division shows that industrial heat pumps could reduce industrial heat waste. This waste, whose heat is recovered by heat pumps, would then meet around 36TWh of the heat requirements of the industrial process.

Low-power nuclear reactors (SMRs)

For some time now, many countries that design reactors have been considering the development of plants with a power range of less than 200 MWe. “Technology Uncovered” explains these reactors that enable more compact and modular designs and which are known as SMRs (Small Modular Reactors).

Advanced management of distribution networks

The emergence of renewable energy sources, as well as new uses of electricity (heat pumps, electric vehicles), the management of consumption peaks and the desire to constantly improve service quality have led to the development of new smart systems, particularly within distribution networks.

Deep geothermal energy

There is currently renewed interest in deep geothermal energy, shown through requests for and the issuing of several exploration permits. Explore related technology.

STEP plants

EDF has built six pumped hydro-electric energy storage (STEP) plants in France. This fleet is now being renovated and expanded.

CO2 storage

As part of the fight against climate change, CCGS technology (Carbon Capture and Geological Storage) is considered to be a necessary solution for lowering CO2 emissions caused by human activities.

Concentrated thermodynamic solar power

Unlike photovoltaic systems, which can lose 80% of their power in a matter of seconds during periods of cloud cover, thermodynamic solar plants have a thermal inertia that curbs intermittent production. They have a possible thermal storage capacity of several hours and, as a result, can be used when no solar energy is available.