Innovation

Hydropower plant management

This involves improving maintenance and safety, upgrading equipment and optimising hydroelectricity production on the Rhone to strengthen the reliability of the energy system while ensuring the sustainable management of the river.

New renewable energies and associated services

The deployment of innovative solutions such as linear and floating solar power plants, new generation land-based wind power, energy storage, renewable hydrogen for industrial uses and mobility, and controlling energy demand so as to offer efficient solutions for industrial companies and local authorities.

Energy and biodiversity

Innovation at CNR systematically integrates ecological concerns: studies of fish migrations, sediment management and movement, the preservation and restoration of natural habitats, research into the cumulated effects of energy infrastructures, to harmonise renewable energy production with the stainable protection of the Rhone’s ecosystems.

Innovative methods for forecasting, and exploiting renewable energies

The development of tools to improve forecasting and exploiting renewable energies, advanced meteorological models, optimisation algorithms, real-time control systems, in the service of more reliable renewable energy, better foreseen and better integrated in the network.

Every year, CNR organises Innov’Action to promote the innovative ideas of its employees. This in-house competition encourages the emergence of new renewable energy solutions, projects for optimising hydroelectricity production on the Rhone and approaches relating to the river’s sustainable management.

Innov’Action has created real enthusiasm and attracts around fifty candidates every year. The projects are evaluated by a jury composed of CNR’s Management Board and partners, then assisted for deployment on the scale of the company. The energy generated by the competition strengthens innovation in the service of the territories, local authorities and industrial companies.

Osmotic energy: a promising path

Osmotic energy entails exploring electricity production based on the differences in salinity between two media and is a promising new path for producing renewable electricity. CNR is studying this potential with Sweetch Energy, thanks to INOD®, an innovative technology. A pilot site will be launched in the Rhone delta to test this solution in real conditions.

In the long-term osmotic energy could supply as much as 4 TWh/year, making it a source in synergy with solar, wind and hydro-power in the French energy mix.

This solution consists in installing solar panels on very long and narrow strips of land, such as dikes, roads, railways and noise barriers. The panels are installed vertically, directed east-west, and are capable of capturing solar radiation on both faces. Contrary to traditional installations tilted southwards, this configuration makes it possible to produce electricity both in the morning and the afternoon, by avoiding a peak concentrated at midday.

The project at Sablons (Isère) is the first experiment by CNR using this technology.

These installations create a protective microclimate that reduces hydric stress, heat and climate hazards, all while generating renewable electricity. The aim is to demonstrate that the same space can produce energy, increase agricultural resilience and avoid artificializing land, in a model that can be replicated elsewhere in the territories.

This dynamic agrivoltaics project is being carried out alongside the Auvergne-Rhone Alps Region and the EPLEFPA (Local Public Education and Professional Agricultural Training Establishment) Lyon Dardilly-Ecully.