EdF develops its partnerships
Electricité de France has reaffirmed partnerships with nuclear operators in China and launched a new trial of plug-in hybrid cars in Strasbourg with Toyota.
Electricité de France (EdF) has reaffirmed partnerships in China and launched a new trial of electric cars in Strasbourg with Toyota.
During a visit by President Nicolas Sarkozy, EdF chiefs signed further agreements with China's two current nuclear operators, China National Nuclear Corporation and China Guangdong Nuclear Power Corporation.
A text on the implementation of a 'global partnership' was agreed with CGNPC, following on from a joint venture deal concerning the construction and operation of the two Areva EPRs being built at Taishan in southern Guangdong province. EdF said the latest agreement "complements" the previous one and "provides a broader framework for cooperation... particularly in the fields of engineering, purchasing and research & development."
"It is also a reminder of the determination of EdF and CGNPC to identify the opportunities for joint development projects, both within China and internationally," said EdF.
Besides operating some 58 reactors in France, EdF is of course constructing an EPR of its own at Flamanville and planning another for Penly. It also wants them in Italy, the UK and the USA through various partnerships and subsidiaries. CGNPC operates only four reactors at Daya Bay and Ling Ao, but has 13 under construction at the moment and ten more firmly planned.
With CNNC, the government-owned consolidated nuclear fuel cycle and reactor operating company, EdF agreed to strengthen engineering collaboration and increase liaison "particularly in the fields of training, project management and research & development."
Electricité des Voitures
A project led by EdF and Toyota will see 26 partners lease about 100 plug-in hybrid cars for three years in the city of Strasbourg, on the French-German border. There will be more than 150 charging points in users' homes as well as streets and public car parks, each linked via a 3G network to a central load management system. EnBW will maintain a compatible charging network on the German side of the Ill river.
EdF called the trial a first in terms of the size of the plug-in hybrid fleet and the charging infrastructure. It is part of a forthcoming global trial involving about 600 vehicles. |
Researched and written
by World Nuclear News
