Gas instrumentation and analysis for renewable energies

Whatever the energy source - wind, geothermal, solar, biomass - the renewable energy industry is a fast-growing industry at the heart of global energy policies. To preserve the environment, every technological innovation requires optimum management of energy sources, using reliablemeasuring instruments(gas analysis, pressure measurement, level measurement, flow measurement, temperature measurement).

Hydroelectric plant (pumped-storage power generation)

When there is a surplus of electricity on the grid, it is used to pump water from storage dams at lower altitudes to the one at higher altitudes. The energy of the falling water is used to turn the turbine and generator, producing electricity. In France, hydropower is the 2ᵉ largest source of electricity generation and the most important source of renewable energy. It can provide a stable power supply if the volume of water in reservoirs is controlled.

Geothermal power plant

Flash steam system

Flash-cycle steam power plants pump geothermal water from the geothermal reservoir through a production well, then separate the steam from the water. The steam is then used to drive turbines that generate electricity.
The hot water is returned underground via a re-injection well. This system is used when the geothermal water temperature is high. Steam passing through a turbine is converted into hot water by the condenser, then cooled for use in the condenser.

Binary cycle system

Binary-cycle power plants can generate electricity with low-temperature geothermal water, because they use a secondary fluid with a lower boiling point than water. The secondary fluid used is pentane, fluorocarbon, hydrocarbon or other.

Fuji Electric suggests combining the flash steam system with the binary cycle system to improve thermal efficiency. A customer can add a binary-cycle system at a later date.

Wind power plant

Wind power is a clean source of energy, with less impact on the environment, particularly in terms of CO2 emissions. It is the most popular of the renewable energies, despite some disadvantages: electricity production dependent on weather conditions; large area required for reliable power supply; concerns about noise nuisance (low-frequency sound and wind noise). For these and other reasons, large wind farms are often built offshore.

Power generation

Biomass energy

Biomass, a renewable energy source, comes from organic matter such as forest residues, sewage sludge, livestock waste and food residues. Combustion of biomass produces green energy. Biomass can be used as fuel in various forms: solid fuel, biogas or bioethanol.

Methanization units

Solid recovered fuel CSR

CDD (Combustibles Dérivés des Déchets), also known as CSR (Combustibles Solides de Récupération), are produced from household or office waste. This waste is dried, processed and mixed with lime for use as RDF in power plants. CDD offers advantages such as: easy to transport, suitable for long-term storage, stable quality, generates more heat than general waste.