RA 1: Low-carbon energy production

Objectives:

Improvement of new concepts for carbon-free energy conversion
Improving fluid-structure interactions in energy production technologies
Improve the reliability and performance of electrical installations

To keep global warming below the 2°C limit, it is essential to develop low-carbon technologies and renewable energies. To achieve this goal, it will be necessary to improve the conversion of low-carbon energy, in other words: capture available energy around us and convert it into usable energy, especially electricity.

Nuclear, wind, and solar power are common low-carbon ways to convert energy (heat, wind, and light) into electricity. But solar energy can also be converted into energy like H2 or fuel. Wave energy is also studied to convert kinetic energy into electricity.

One of the problems is that almost all power generation facilities are subject to fluid-structure interactions. The problem of fluid-structure interactions lies in the vibrations induced by turbulent flows, which limit the mechanical stability of industrial installations. Even solar parks can be subject to vibrations caused by gusts of wind, especially in the downstream wake of the panels.

Another well-known example is that of turbines, which transform the kinetic energy of a fluid flow (air or water) into electricity. Structural integrity and durability are major concerns for all types of power generation facilities, both for safety and economic sustainability. A key factor in this regard is the fact that problems related to energy production are very similar to those encountered in other industrial fields, provided that the materials are identical. For example, the prediction of the service life of rails under the load of passing trains is very similar to that associated with pressurization and depressurization cycles in power plant tanks.

Contact email address: ra1_e4c@ip-paris.fr