Innovation plays a major role in Alstom Grid’s strategy. Investment in research and development is essential when investing in new concepts and solutions and providing solutions to meet today and tomorrow customers’ needs.
Dedicated centers around the world
Alstom Grid’s five technology centres and their teams of technical experts are involved in long/medium term research and development programmes to prepare for the future needs of electrical networks. The technology centres are located in Stafford (UK), Redmond (USA), Villeurbanne and Massy (France) and Shanghai (China). The Alstom Grid Technology centers are specialised in information, materials technology, electrical and mechanical engineering research and product development with powerful testing facilities.
On 18 March 2010, Alstom Grid inaugurated its new China Technology Center in Shanghai’s Caoheijing Pujiang High-Tech Park. Representing a €47million.investment, the centre will have particular focus on Ultra High Voltage (UHV) transmission, up to 1,200 kV AC and 1,100 kV DC, and Smart Grids. It has been designed to accommodate very large electrical equipment, with a UHV testing hall and R&D platforms such as scientific simulation tools, climate chamber, temperature rise testing lab, material testing labs and more. Read the related press release
Other research and development activities are realised in more than 35 specialised competence centres located worldwide.
Technical expertise
Technical expertise is a key differentiator for Alstom Grid, and it forms a crucial part of our vision in inventing customer valued network solutions for an energy efficient future.
Our wide network of Technical Experts have an essential role in providing business support, as they maintain a close relationship with our customers.
Collaborative relationships are maintained with approximately 40 leading universities and research laboratories in Europe, Asia and North America.
Futhermore, they are increasingly involved in standardization committees to share knowledge and enhance our R&D capabilities.
Jiaotong University, China
On 15 March, Dr. Peter Kirchesch, Alstom Grid Technical Advisor, was appointed Guest
Professor at the Shanghai Jiaotong University (SJTU) by Prof. Peng Yinghong, Vice President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The formal ceremony was followed by a technical presentation titled “Smart Grids - Perspectives of the Power Industry”, which was delivered by Prof. Kirchesch to over 150 graduate students, teachers and professors of the School of Electronic, Information and Electrical Engineering.
SJTU is recognised as one of the top five universities in China, and was founded in 1896. The University has nurtured over 200,000 talented individuals. Alstom Grid collaborates with Shanghai Jiaotong University in a number of key areas of R&D and develops students to support our needs in both China and the rest of the World.
Shangai Jiaotong University website
Strategic partnership with Ecole Centrale de Lyon
Alstom Grid has signed a strategic partnership with the Ecole Centrale de Lyon (ECL), one of the world’s most prestigious engineering schools, aiming to create research and training programs
on Sustainable Energy Networks.
Alstom Grid engineers work in collaboration with ECL students and professors to further develop the quality of ECL’s engineering training program and coordinate joint research and innovation projects on sustainable energy. Using their industry expertise, the engineers will also work with the ECL to promote energy efficiency on the campus though energy management and
eco-design initiatives, as well as supporting students in environment education
projects.
Professor Patrick Bourgin, Director of the Ecole Centrale de Lyon added, “Our
close partnership with Alstom Grid will strongly contribute to our leadership in
research and education in the strategic field of sustainable energy.”
Ecole Centrale de Lyon
Alstom GRID - Tsinghua University Joint Research Centre, China
The sixth annual management review of technical progress of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) was held on the 14 March in presence of the Vice President of Tsinghua University, Prof. Kejun Kang and representative from the UK Govt. British Council.
In the past 6 years, the JRC has been devoted to the development of advanced technologies in all areas of power delivery and its management and conducted a total of 30 research projects on behalf of Alstom Grid. All of the Center’s projects are focused on priorities in the area of energy delivery and management, combining Alstom`s sustainable development initiatives with the Chinese market’s long-term needs. The Centre has filed a number of joint patents with Alstom and published over a hundred technical papers at international conferences and in journals.
Tsinghua University website