The air insulation technology adopted for the EPR2 project’s Energy Removal Platform (1) means that equipment liable to contain SF6 can be kept to a minimum.
For the Flamanville EPR, it has been decided to locate the equipment in question indoors in order to protect it from sea wind corrosion. EDF has also committed to an R&D programme (Project Zero SF6) to monitor and test alternatives to SF6 for its installations.
SF6 emissions by distribution network operator Enedis(2) amounted to approximately 390kg in 2022. The action plan implemented by Enedis to reduce these emissions has focused in particular on the deployment, since July 2021, of a new technical series of high-voltage vacuum breakers (with no SF6) for new high-voltage switchgear fitted in primary medium- and high-voltage substations. Over 90% of SF6 from obsolete breakers is recovered and regenerated. Following on from this initial success, Enedis is entering into partnerships with suppliers to evaluate alternative solutions based on alternative gas sources for secondary substations.
3.1.1.3.6 Reducing HFC emissions
HFCs are used as refrigerating fluid in industrial refrigeration units and air conditioning in the service sector. To reduce fluorinated gas emissions, Regulation (EU) No. 517/2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases (known as F-Gas) is progressively implementing a reduction in HFC emissions within the EU through a
quota system and a schedule for a gradual reduction in the quantity of HFCs that importers and producers can market each year. This EU Regulation is currently being amended. The Regulation aims to reduce HFC volumes present on the market by 95% (in CO2 e) by 2030 compared to 2015 levels.
Following the regulatory prohibition on using CFCs and subsequently HCFCs (R11, R12, and then R22), from 2014 onwards EDF has engaged in a programme to replace refrigerating fluids with high Global Warming Potential (CFCs and HCFCs) by less harmful refrigerating fluids (HFCs), resulting in a significant reduction in CO2 te emissions. Presently, the most-used refrigerating fluid in EDF’s production fleet (approximately 90%) has a GWP of 1,430 or less. EDF has commissioned studies to evaluate the possibility of converting existing refrigerating units to operate with refrigerating fluid with a lower GWP (< 600).
See section 3.2.4.3.3 “Optimisation of internal consumption”.
See section 3.1.4.3.6 “Decarbonisation solutions for transport”.
See section 3.2.4.3.3 “Optimisation of internal consumption”.
To achieve the low-carbon power production goals it has set itself (see section 3.1.1.1 “Group policy”), the EDF group is implementing an action plan in with line its CAP 2030 strategy (3). This action plan is coordinated by the EDF group Carbon Neutrality Strategy project (see the description of climate governance in section 3.1.3.1 “Governance bodies”).
| EDF, Europe’s biggest investor in low-carbon energy |
|---|
|
EDF, Europe’s biggest investor in low-carbon energy The EDF group is investing massively to prepare for the future and build a CO2-neutral energy future. The Group’s electricity generation mix in 2022 was 76.0% nuclear, 8.2% hydro, 5.7% other renewable energies, 8.5% gas, 1.2% fuel oil and 0.4% coal (4)(see section 1.1 “Key figures and business model”). |
By 2030, and in line with the CAP 2030 projects, the main actions enabling the EDF group to achieve its targets relating to decarbonised generation are as follows:
| ROADMAP FOR INCREASING THE EDF GROUP’S LOW-CARBON POWER PRODUCTION | ||
|---|---|---|
| Topics | Actions | URD Sections |
| Grand Carénage | Continued operation of France’s nuclear power plants beyond 40 years thanks to the Grand Carénage programme. | 3.1.1.4.2 |
| New Nuclear | In February 2022, the French President announced the aim of building 6 new EPR2 nuclear power reactors with commissioning from 2035 onwards, and for studies for 8 additional reactors to be engaged. The President also announced the development of the modular NUWARD™ reactor and other innovative reactors. | 3.1.1.4.3 |
| Development of renewable energies | Doubling of installed renewable energy capacity, including hydro, between 2015 and 2030, to reach 60GW net in 2030. | 3.1.1.4.4 |
| Flexibility and management of intermittency | Development of electrical storage to improve system flexibility and management of the intermittency of non-controllable renewable energies. | 3.1.1.4.5 |
Applying Group EDF roadmaps to reduce Scope 1 direct emissions and increase low-carbon production by 2030 should result in the EDF group achieving its carbon intensity reduction goal of 35gCO2 /kWh by 2030.
The following diagram shows the estimated impact to date of the climate transition action plan on the EDF group’s carbon intensity.
(1) See section 1.4.1.1.3.2 “Other “New Nuclear” projects”.
(2) A distribution operator managed in accordance with the rules of managerial independence.
(3) See section 1.3. “Group strategy and objectives”.
(4) In consolidated data.
