IRT Jules Verne, R&D Partner to the Energy Industry

The French nuclear industry faces a dual challenge: extending the lifetime of the existing nuclear fleet while preparing for its renewal. The construction of new EPR2 reactors and the development of SMRs are opening a new industrial phase, with major challenges in terms of cost and schedule control, quality, safety and reliability.

In this context, IRT Jules Verne draws on its expertise in robotics, automation, process simulation and non-destructive testing to support companies across the nuclear industry. This expertise can address challenges related to the construction of new reactors, the maintenance of the existing nuclear fleet and decommissioning operations.

It was in this field that the FETCH project was launched in 2021 with EDF, DP2D and Graphitech, with the aim of automating the extraction of the 216 pressure tubes from the reactor vessel at the Brennilis nuclear power plant, which is currently being decommissioned. A robot incorporating the optimal extraction scenario for each tube, depending on its location, demonstrated the industrial feasibility of this complex operation.

This success paved the way for broader collaboration with Graphitech, a joint venture between Cyclife (EDF Group) and Veolia, which is preparing for the decommissioning of graphite-moderated gas-cooled nuclear reactors (UNGG) at EDF’s Industrial Demonstrator near the Chinon nuclear power plant. IRT Jules Verne notably worked on defining lighting parameters for tube detection, followed by the development of a dual-camera redundancy system to ensure continuous vision in the event of a camera failure.

This robotics expertise is now being applied more broadly across the nuclear industry. IRT Jules Verne also works with Framatome and Orano on the automation of welding processes, process simulation and automated non-destructive testing—three key areas supporting the industrial performance of the French nuclear industry.

Maritime transport accounts for more than 80% of global trade and nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Wind-assisted propulsion, which uses wind energy directly to propel ships or assist their propulsion, is emerging as a breakthrough solution for decarbonising the sector, without requiring new energy infrastructure.

Since 2023, IRT Jules Verne, alongside the Wind Ship association, has been leading efforts to structure this emerging sector. Following an initial feasibility study involving 32 maritime transport stakeholders, the Institute launched the VENFFRAIS II project in late 2025. With a budget of €15.2 million over five years, the project brings together 23 partners from across the French value chain: shipowners, equipment manufacturers, naval architects, shipyards, engineering firms, testing centres, academic partners and classification societies.

Among them are CMA CGM, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, PONANT, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, Neoline, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore and Centrale Nantes.

Scientific coordination is led by Mauric.

Its objective is to provide the industry with reference methods and tools for measuring, comparing and certifying the performance of wind propulsion systems. To achieve this, the project combines numerical modelling, experimental testing and measurements under real operating conditions, with the ambition of developing a reference methodology and international standards for measuring wind propulsion performance.

The initial feasibility study estimated that the sector could generate up to 4,600 direct jobs in France by 2030, compared with 550 today.

Independently of this programme, IRT Jules Verne can already build on a first tangible industrial success in wind-assisted propulsion: its automated lay-up technology enabled SMAF, a subsidiary of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, to market its first machine for manufacturing composite masts for Solid Sail technology.