This move complements the valuable collaborative research already produced within the context of the Institut Tripartite, whose agreement was renewed in May 2017, by encouraging the development of digital technology in the nuclear industry and fostering an approach based on technological building blocks.
It mainly covers technology for the nuclear power plant of the future, including in particular virtual and augmented reality, the development of digital models, additive manufacturing, Big Data and cyber security.
EDF and the CEA are also keen to further their partnership when it comes to using technology for energy transition, and in particular photovoltaic energy and storage.
Jean-Bernard Lévy, EDF’s Chairman and CEO, announced: “Innovation is one of the foundations of our CAP 2030 strategy. The renewed partnership with the CEA is helping to consolidate our ambitions for digital transformation, including in particular in the field of the nuclear industry. It is also designed to speed up the development of technology to help with energy transition.”
Daniel Verwaerde, the CEA’s Chairman, announced: “The broader, strengthened partnership with EDF confirms the recognition of the highest international levels achieved by the CEA’s teams, not only in its traditional areas of expertise – calculation codes, neutron transport, non-destructive testing – but also in new strategic fields represented by digital transformation and the factory of the future, as well as technology for energy transition.”
About EDFA key player in energy transition, the EDF Group is an integrated electricity company, active in all areas of the business: generation, transmission, distribution, energy supply and trading, energy services. A global leader in low-carbon energies, the Group has developed a diversified generation mix based on nuclear power, hydropower, new renewable energies and thermal energy. The Group is involved in supplying energy and services to approximately 37.1 million customers, of which 26.2 million in France. The Group generated consolidated sales of €71 billion in 2016. EDF is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange.About CEAThe French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a public research organization working in four main areas: defense and security, nuclear and renewable energies, technological research for industry and fundamental research.Building on its recognized expertise, the CEA takes part in organizing cooperation projects with a wide range of academic and industrial partners. With its 16,000 searchers and employees, it is a major player in European research and is also expanding its international presence.