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The innovation laboratory
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GDF SUEZ’s R&D team contributes to preparing solutions that will meet the great challenges of tomorrow, but also develops on a daily basis innovations that best meet the expectations of customers as well as the requirements of the Group. Here are a few examples…
Innovating to secure supply
Controlling and diversifying production, transport and storage technologies… to ensure that energy is available to customers.
- flexible cryogenic arm for unloading LNG
- scheduling gas purchases/sales
- availability of nuclear plants
| Ecogenerator: producing one’s own energy | |
| The ecogenerator is a high-performance natural gas heating system which enables a household to produce its own heat, clean hot water and… electricity! The system produces energy with a 20% efficiency rate and 30% less CO2 emissions than a conventional production system. GDF SUEZ’s R&D team is currently working to increase the system’s global energy performance. The ecogenerator that has been developed has proven its effectiveness in the laboratory setting and has begun a trial phase under real conditions. Savelys, a subsidiary of the Group, has installed around 40 systems for private customers in Rhône-Alpes. The system could be launched on the market as early as 2010. | |
Innovating to improve the technical and economic performance of the equipment
Increasing the output of the facilities, prolonging their lifecycle and strengthening their safety.
- telemetry
- regulated ventilation
- remote early detection of defects
- remote analysis of defects in pipelines
- the output of thermal power plants
- protection of existing service lines
| Protective Devices for Existing Branches (DPBE) | |
| In 2008, CRIGEN deployed 2,000 Protective Devices for Existing Branches (“DPBE”) on GrDF’s natural gas distribution network: this new technology to secure existing branches makes it possible to interrupt the flow of natural gas if there is excess output following the disconnection of the branch. This world “first” is protected by seven patents. | |
Innovating to control the environmental impact
Promoting energy that is more respectful of the environment, reducing polluting waste and constantly improving water and waste treatment.
- controlling the risk of legionella
- sea water desalination
- waste management
- wastewater recycling
- microcoagulation
| “Green” methane | |
| In the context of developing new industrial segments to make the best use of renewable energies, in 2008 GDF SUEZ set up an ambitious project to produce bio-methane from the gasification of biomass. The Gaya project aims at creating a reliable and profitable segment producing “green methane” that can be marketed as a biofuel or as a heating fuel and can be transported via the natural gas network. A seven year R&D partnership program is being coordinated by GDF SUEZ and involves a large number of players in the industry. The project is expected to get underway in 2009, once the financial structure has been approved. | |
Innovating to combat climate change
Developing new energies, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency.
- innovations in renewable energies
- flameless combustion
- the experimental building at Saint-Denis
- checking combustion and incineration efficiency
- controlling energy efficiency
| Running on natural gas | |
| Natural gas for vehicles (NGV), used in particular for transport (buses, municipal fleets etc.), is a fuel that emits 25% less CO2 than a vehicle running on gasoline. GDF SUEZ has several projects underway to develop this fuel. In late 2008, the Group, along with several of its partners, presented a prototype Smart hybrid running on NGV and electricity, which emits 30% less CO2 than a vehicle running on gasoline. Other projects aim at developing more efficient NGV catalyzers or integrating bio-methane in the NGV to reduce CO2 emissions by 55%. | |
