Research & Innovation

The success of GDF SUEZ is largely based on its ability to innovate. Improving the safety and productivity of industrial processes, reducing the environmental impact of human activities, developing solutions to meet the expectations and needs of customers while preserving the planet’s resources: these are the goals of GDF SUEZ research and innovation.

A strategy of continuous innovation

Innovation is one of the core values of GDF SUEZ. The Group is conducting a major research and innovation program with the two-fold aim of:

• meeting market expectations by offering continuously improved services,
• developing technologies and services that meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Specialized research centers

Most of the activities are carried out in the Group’s specialized research centers (electricity, gas, energy efficiency, water treatment etc.):

Eight corporate programs

In 2008 the Research & Innovation Division launched eight corporate programs in the various research centers on strategic topics:

CO₂ capture and storage

This technology aims to capture the greenhouse gases in old depleted extraction wells and is a strategic area for the Group.

• Consult the CO₂ capture and storage case study

Centralized renewable energies

Renewable energies are one of the Group’s major development vectors. This program coordinates the R&D actions for each technology: photovoltaic solar, thermal or concentrated solar, wind, biomass etc.

• GDF SUEZ and renewable energies
• Innovations in renewable energies

Energy storage

Hydraulic reservoirs currently offer the only solution for storing electric energy that can be transferred immediately. The program is aimed at studying new ways of storing energy, making particular use of compressed air.

Desalination and associated energy

SUEZ Environnement is the world leader in desalination technologies. This program is aimed at optimizing the energy efficiency of these processes.

LNG offshore

In Boston, the Group is expected to inaugurate in 2010 one of the world’s first offshore LNG terminals. Other projects are planned, particularly in Italy. Major innovations are being developed for these new solutions.

• Natural gas and LNG
• Flexible cryogenic unloading arm

Smart Metering

Remote reading of consumption and remote monitoring of information, control and management of facilities… Remotely operated technology makes it possible to develop new services, particularly in the area of energy efficiency.

• Telemetry
• Early detection of defects in combined cycle plants

Smart Grids

A smart grid comprises the electrical power grid and a telecommunication network. It allows advanced management of production, storage resources and loads. These transformations will thus bring about major changes in electricity supply and production activities.

The sustainable city

The Group has an expert command of a large number of technologies that are deployed in planning eco-cities of the future. A building’s energy efficiency, the management of transport and public lighting, urban heating and air conditioning networks, renewable energies, waste collection and recycling, distribution of drinking water, sanitation etc.

• Regulated ventilation