D2SE-Projects and partnerships

Ongoing collaborative projects

HyMot project

With : Alpine Racing, Bosch France, Ecole Centrale de Nantes, Faurecia Système d'Échappement, IFP Énergies Nouvelles, OSE Engineering, Renault, Total Energies
 
The HyMot project focuses on an innovative technology: the hydrogen engine. By exploring the possibilities to convert an internal combustion engine to hydrogen, this project will demonstrate the feasibility of an alternative to electrification for light vehicles.The research carried out by the HyMot consortium could also support the development of infrastructure for the distribution of carbon-free hydrogen for mobility.

Centrale Nantes' role in HyMot

Centrale Nantes worked on the technical design for the hydrogen engine. Using a digital model of the demonstrator, which will become its digital twin, allowing for the simulation of different modes, the school was able to make recommendations for the engine's architecture. With this element established, Centrale Nantes will turn to exploratory research and improve performance in terms of autonomy, reduction of polluting emissions, consumption, driveability, etc. The school will rely on the use of its test benches and train experts via theses to advance knowledge in this field.

HyMot Funding


HyMot was one of the projects selected in the CORAM 2021 call for projects. Spearheaded by France Relance and BPI France and with backing from the Investments for the Future Programme (PIA) run by ADEME, CORAM aims to support R&D projects that accelerate the market launch of innovative and sustainable mobility technologies, services and solutions.

« Mervent 2025 » project (2022-2027)

> Read more about this project
 
The Mervent 2025 project led by Zéphyr & Borée and its partners CWS, GTT and Centrale Nantes was selected as part of the CORIMER Call for Expression of Interest 2022. Mervent aims to build the first container ship powered by hybrid sail/synthetic fuel.

A LOW-CARBON SHIP FOR INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORT

The project aims to design, build and operate the first container ship powered by hybrid sail/synthetic fuel that will reduce CO2 emissions by at least 50% by 2026 and which is adapted to an established market.

The LHEEA laboratory, (Centrale Nantes and CNRS) and, in particular, the D2SE (Decarbonation & Depollution of Energy Systems) research group will take part in several actions on ship energy efficiency.

3 PhD theses will be conducted throughout the project on:
 
  • Energy modelling of ships,
  • Optimisation of the energy management strategies of a vessel with sail power,
  • Experimental characterisation of carbon capture.
The research work on carbon capture will go through an experimental phase and the creation of a test bench at the end of 2023. The company GTT is in charge of designing the CO2 capture system (CSS: Carbon Capture & Storage) which will then be tested on the bench designed by Centrale Nantes. These tests planned for 2024 will validate the system, which will then be installed on the ship built by Zéphyr & Borée.

Industrial Chair Centrale Nantes/Mann Hummel “Filtration systems: fluid dynamics and energy” (2019-2023)

> Read more about this industrial chair

The Mann + Hummel Group and Centrale Nantes have created this chair "Filtration systems: fluid dynamics and energy" and started on 01/01/2019, for a period of five years.

Growing environmental awareness on the part of populations and governments is leading European legislators to intensify the use of new anti-pollution standards. Technical improvements are no longer sufficient to meet the increasing demands. In addition, current environmental concerns also relate to air quality. Indeed, whether in closed (such as vehicle interiors) or semi-open environments (such as platforms in public transit systems), significant improvements are still needed. The improvement of air quality can be achieved in particular through the use of filtering systems and can be approached along three main lines:
  • Optimization of internal combustion engines to reduce fuel consumption (and therefore CO2 emissions) while maintaining acceptable driving pleasure;
  • Concerns associated with driver well-being, both in terms of thermal comfort in the passenger compartment and air quality (CO2, particles, etc.). To do this, technical solutions can be put in place but with the lowest possible energy impact so as not to reduce the vehicle's range.
  • Air quality in semi-open environments such as station platforms through the use of filtration systems.
 

Industrial chair Centrale Nantes/MAN energy solutions "Moteurs Industriels pour des applications Marine et Stationnaire" (2018-2023)


The objective of this project is to develop innovative solutions to improve the operation of industrial engines, mainly to reduce their fuel consumption and their polluting emissions. The concepts are first tested by thermodynamic and fluid simulation then validated experimentally. There are many areas covered: supercharging, injection / combustion, cooling, hybridization, system interactions, etc. The targeted applications are naval propulsion and electricity production

Partnership Centrale Nantes/Stellantis "digital simulation techniques for powertrain design"   (2018– 2023)

Centrale Nantes and Stellantis (formerly PSA Groupe) have been working together since 2018 on an R&D programme focusing on digital simulation for powertrain design. A budget of €4M was specifically allocated to digital simulation for powertrain design with a view to bringing low-emission vehicles to market faster.
> Read more

Co-Wood-Green | NAODEN, Solution Recyclage, Centrale Nantes (2021-2022)


                                             
The Co-Wood-Green project aims to optimise the performance of a cogeneration unit by recycling different types of wood. NAODEN designs, manufactures and installs biomass micropower plants using gasification to convert biosourced resources into energy. One of NAODEN’s solutions, the Imperium 100, produces heat and electricity simultaneously. This unit needs to be optimised to produce green electricity that can be used to power the pumps of a heating network, for example in communal buildings, and to inject the hot water produced.
The D2SE team, with its expertise in engines, combustion and pollutant emissions, as well as in terms of engine testing and simulation, is taking part in the project alongside Solution Recyclage, an expert in the procurement and supply of Grade A&B waste wood.

This project is financed by the Pays de la Loire region, and was selected in the Pays de la Loire 2020 Call for Collaborative R&D Projects.

Programme PEGAS²E Centrale Nantes/CRITTM2A/Gamma Technologie "Performances Energétiques, Gestion et Autonomie des Systèmes de Stockage Electrique" (2019– 2023)

 

The CRITT M2A Electrical Test Centre started work on the PEGAS²E (Energy Performance, Management and Autonomy of Electrical Storage Systems) four-year research programme on October 1st 2019. This programme aims to develop the electric vehicle market by overcoming the scientific challenges related to the optimisation of batteries used for automotive transportation. A PhD thesis began on the same date and is being undertaken in partnership with Ecole Centrale de Nantes (through Centrale Innovation) and Gamma Technologies. Professor David Chalet of the Research Laboratory in Hydrodynamics, Energetics & Atmospheric Environment (LHEEA), a joint Centrale Nantes and CNRS research unit, is supervising this PhD. He thus lends his expertise in energy system modelling to this research programme.


The PhD thesis aims to develop an electrothermal model of an electric vehicle traction battery based on test results obtained using Li-ion battery technology. The electrothermal model developed should be of low complexity, with a target of integration into a BMS (Battery Management System), while maintaining a strong link with the physico-chemical phenomena governing the behaviour of the electrochemical cell. To this end, the research work will be based on an innovative work methodology and will benefit from the latest generation of battery test benches (2kW/4kW cells and 50kW modules, 250/750kW pack benches, EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy)) as well as high-performance simulation tools.

The model will deal with managing battery pack cooling in any use case scenario of the electric vehicle. This entails understanding and optimising the physical phenomena linked to the thermal management of the "propulsion battery" and energy storage system. From a more general point of view, it will be necessary to overcome scientific and technological challenges to improve the life of the propulsion system and the vehicle's range. The innovation of the thesis work will be to couple this battery modelling with an energy optimisation of the complete vehicle system.

Recent collaborative projects

Industrial chair Centrale Nantes/Renault – Siemens ISPHY (2018-2021)


This chair aims to advance knowledge in the field of Digital Intelligence for the Hybrid Powertrain System (ISPHY). In this context, several areas are addressed, in particular deep learning for the prediction of pollutant emissions, Virtual Testing for hybrid and ADAS systems, and dynamic experimental designs.



Industrial Chair Centrale Nantes/Mann Hummel "Systèmes d'admission Innovants et Thermo-Management"  (2014-2018)


The Mann+Hummel Group and Centrale Nantes set up an international teaching and research chair in automotive engineering dealing with innovative intake manifolds and thermal management'. The regulatory environment for the reduction of polluting emissions and CO2 from internal combustion engines is a major challenge for MANN + HUMMEL. Working with the LHEEA laboratory is intended to broaden knowledge of future technological innovation relating to powertrain mechanisms.  The research themes are:
  • Air intake systems,
  • Thermal engine management.

European project DIEPER (2016-2019)


DIEPER is the acronym for DIesel Efficiency improvement with Particulates and Emission Reduction. This European project H2020 gathers together car manufacturers (Renault, Fiat, Iveco), suppliers (Continental, Johnson Matthey, Siemens, Bosch) and research centers (IFP, Ricardo, CMT Valence, Ecole Centrale de Nantes). This project aims for reduction of CO2 emissions while reducing conventional pollutants (CO, HC, NOx and PM) and nanoparticles (up to 10nm) of Diesel Powertrains.

ANR SYNERGY (2009-13)


This project involves the development of an innovative engine demonstrator with a downspeeding objective.

D2SE Participation: Organbank study and simulation of the bi-stepped supercharging system
With: Faurecia, Valeo, Renault, IFPen, Delphi, Honeywell, Mechadyne


FUI OCSYGENE6 (2010-2013)


This project concerns the optimized design of intake air and exhaust system.

D2SE Participation:
  • Characterization of the compressor in pulsed flow on organ bank.
  • Characterization of solutions allowing low filling gain
  • Study of thermal discontinuities on the air intake line

Partners: Mann + Hummel France, Renault, LMFA, Supelec, ESTACA, P.H.A.S.E., Sherpa Engineering, Electricfil

Industrial chair Centrale Nantes/Renault – Siemens MCMAP (2013-2018)


                   

The chair’s research work will be to advance knowledge in the field of system modelling for the control and development of Renault’s internal combustion engines. This chair will also strengthen the alignment of courses provided to future engineers with current and future industrial projects.

> Renault/Siemens chair

Thermoelectric generator for marine application CEA Tech / Région des Pays de la Loire (2014-2017)

The joint research program between CEA Tech and the Ecole Centrale de Nantes aims to study the possibilities of waste heat recovery by thermoelectricity (Seebeck effect).  The interactions between this kind of system and the non steady compressible flows in the exhaust lines of internal combustion engines are studied. This program started in October 2014 with the financial contribution of the Region des Pays de la Loire. A complete demonstrator is also realized.

FUI MOGANO6 (2010-2013)


This project concerns the development of a demonstrator of a natural gas engine of an industrial vehicle operating in lean mixture.

D2SE Participation: Study of supercharging and engine air loop
With: CRMT, LMS Imagine, Electricfil, IRECELYON




ANR DIAMS (2007-2011)


This project concerns advanced diagnostics and superchargement modeling.

D2SE participation: experimental characterization of the impact of heat transfer in turbochargers and influence of the compressor input velocity field on its behavior
Academic and industrial partners: LMFA (Centrale Lyon), CNAM Paris (turbomachine chair), Renault, PSA, BorgWarner
Published on June 11, 2020 Updated on July 3, 2023