French electricity utility EDF has announced the opening of a European energy efficiency research center at its Renardieres site in the department of Seine-et-Marne in France, in partnership with Ecole des Mines, Ecole Polytechnique Federale and EDF's Italian subsidiary Edison.
EDF said that the center was set up to help reduce energy consumption and to lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Research projects will be undertaken at the center to improve the energy efficiency of all electricity applications and to develop new alternatives to fossil fuels to supply electricity to the residential, tertiary and industrial sectors.
EDF stated that research programs at the energy efficiency research center (Ecleer) will mainly focus on the design of a new generation of environment-friendly induction heating, the integration of innovative building systems and the development of new energy diagnostic tools.
Pierre Gadonneix, EDF’s CEO, said: The creation of the European energy efficiency research center is a testimony to the commitment of EDF, which is one of the lowest producers of CO2 emissions of all energy suppliers, towards the fight against global warming and the responsible management of energy resources for the future of planet.