RTE, partenaire mécène 2021

RTE confirms its commitment and intensifies its actions, more than ever a partner of Ceebios and patron of Biomim'expo. This is a concrete demonstration in these turbulent and demanding times of the constancy of the group's ambitions and convictions in the strength of the bio-inspired approach as a model for innovation and collective reinvention, particularly of course for our energy of tomorrow.

For RTE, the challenge is to achieve an energy transition that does not cause irreversible damage to resources and biodiversity. Their technologies, which are too dependent on the extractive industry, must evolve and explore other horizons and approaches. Biomimicry, with its deep connection to the living world, is a promising path that RTE has been following enthusiastically for more than 6 years.

Reconciling technology and life for the regeneration of natural and human ecosystemsA systemic approach to the eco-design of solutions, biomimicry is a fertile bridge linking the life sciences, design and engineering; a new link to be reinvented between the techno-sphere and the biosphere. In this respect, biomimicry is a way of innovating through and for the benefit of life at RTE.

For its strategy of adapting the network to the energy and ecological transition, RTE has taken its inspiration from the primary forest by implementing two fundamental principles of life: exchange of information and cooperation. This strategy of adapting the network in a sober manner will save €7 billion (out of a total of €33 billion) over 15 years and as many materials, resources and emissions saved or avoided*.

In 2014, the biomimetic adventure began. RTE joined the CEEBIOS, the study and expertise centre dedicated to the deployment of biomimicry in France. Then in 2017, as part of the study of the effects of the work and operation of underwater electricity cables, in partnership with TBM environnement, RTE adopted a resolutely biomimetic approach by exploring the role of the scallop as a bio-indicator.

Today, RTE is working to explore the full potential of biomimicry in the context of marine renewable energy connections. An initial R&D project, Biomim, Lignes de vie marine, aims in particular to study, thanks to biomimicry, new technical solutions for the connection cables of floating wind turbines (protection, anti-fouling, etc.). At the same time, the connection platforms for offshore wind farms aim to develop their multifunctionality: co-benefits and regeneration for natural and human ecosystems.

An adventure that is set to accelerate in the years to come! See SDDR-Network Development Plan 2021-2035 (chapter 13 Environment) https://www.rte-france.com/analyses-tendances-et-prospectives/le-schema-decennal-de-developpement-du-reseau#LeSDDR

RTE, Réseau de Transport d'Electricitéis a public service company. Its fundamental mission is to ensure economic, secure and sustainable access to electricity throughout France at all times. To this end, RTE directs the flow of electricity from production plants to consumption areas, develops the electricity market to optimise the use of our infrastructures, strengthens and develops the new projects that are essential for the success of the energy transition and innovates to make the most of existing facilities.

As a player in the territories and in Europe, with the largest and most interconnected network in the area, RTE strives to make electricity a lever for performance and competitiveness, while limiting its environmental footprint. Its 105,000 km of lines between 63,000 and 400,000 volts and 50 cross-border lines offer opportunities for electricity exchanges that are essential for the economic optimisation of the electricity system.

Faced with the challenges of the energy and ecological transition, and in a context of upheaval in the world of energy with the multiplicity of players, interactions with other networks and the appearance of new modes of energy consumption, RTE is mobilising its innovation force and R&D resources to meet these challenges. Innovations are being studied to make it easier to adapt the network, to accommodate more and more electricity from renewable production sources and to use the existing infrastructure to its full potential without building new facilities. To integrate environmental, social and economic impacts into its projects, RTE has also been committed since 2016 to an eco-design approach to make this sustainable development model the methodological basis for developing all the solutions of tomorrow. Drawing inspiration from the living world through biomimicry by working in a multidisciplinary manner with all the players is one of the keys to this approach. Aware of the immense potential for solutions, RTE has been a partner of CEEBIOS and Biomim'expo since the beginning.