EDF Energy is a core part of EDF, the lowest carbon-emitting power producer of all the large European energy companies. We share EDF’s vision to be the European leader of tomorrow’s energies and have access to its substantial research and development organisation.
EDF Research and Development
World energy issues, such as peaking fossil fuel resources and climate change, are central to the changing energy landscape. EDF’s extensive R&D programme is focused on ways to tackle these issues and support our future development and growth.
The research portfolio covers a wide range of activities, from forecasting the availability of water – a major challenge for the 21st century – to new renewable energy sources and understanding the future energy landscape.
EDF R&D conducts research and studies in support of the company’s activities, including energy generation and distribution, transport, sales and developing the product portfolio. It supports EDF’s operational activities in the short term as well as preparing for future challenges.
EDF R&D invests around €1m per day in its research activities. It employs 2,000 people, of whom 300 hold doctorates and 200 are studying for PHD equivalent qualifications. It has 150 researchers lecturing in universities.
Energy Technologies Institute
EDF Energy is a founding member of the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI), established in 2007 with a focus on low-carbon energy solutions.
The ETI is a joint venture partnership between the public and private sector and involves some of the world’s biggest companies, including Shell, Rolls-Royce, BP, Caterpillar and E-on. Its aim is to accelerate development of new technologies to make energy cleaner, cheaper and more sustainable in the future.
We hope it will help establish the UK as a leader in low-carbon energy. It is expected to invest £1 billion in innovative low-carbon energy technologies over the next 10 years.
Our involvement in the ETI supports our climate commitments. We believe that a diverse energy mix is essential to ensure a secure long-term energy supply. We’ll work closely with EDF R&D to share results across the group and achieve greater synergies.