Ever since the Laboratoire Dauphinois d'Hydraulique was created in 1918, Sogreah's history has been one of innovation and vision, enabling us - and sometimes the profession - to make technological leaps both nationally and internationally.
We continue to drive Research and Development as a key part of our company strategy. We set great store by our two-fold positioning as international engineering consultants and a European hydraulics institute, and this is a factor that attracts clients, partners and job applicants.
At Sogreah, R&D and innovation take several forms:
- self-funded proactive R&D projects (sometimes leading to patents)
- partnership projects in the framework of national or European research programmes
- commissioned R&D for public- or private-sector clients
- innovation in the context of engineering contracts requiring original solutions
- contribution to governance of research programmes or organisations
- training through research (work placements for PhD students)
- technical and scientific publications
To give structure to this work and facilitate new ideas, a group Vice President has been appointed as R&D and Innovation Director. He is backed up by an R&D/Innovation Committee comprising the R&D/Innovation coordinators from the branches.
At Sogreah, R&D and innovation are highly diversified and concern most of our activities; they are currently being sparked by the following areas:
River and catchment area management:
- flood risks and crisis management
- vulnerability and adaptation to climate change
- surface water quality and river restoration
- environmental data processing and indicators
The maritime field:
- breakwater stability
- new breakwater armour blocks (Accropode™II and Ecopode™)
- monitoring of armour block placing underwater (Posibloc™ system)
- shiphandling safety and the Port Revel training centre
- sustainable management of coastal ecosystems
Numerical and physical modelling:
- 3D hydrodynamic modelling (TELEMAC system)
- river modelling (MASCARET system)
- 3D morphodynamics modelling (TELEMAC system)
- wave modelling
- modelling of flows in pipes
- hydraulic scale modelling
Urban development and environment:
- wastewater recycling
- sewage sludge treatment
- seawater desalination
- urban flood risks (CANOE and TELEMAC software)
- stormwater storage and clean-up
- sustainable towns
Industrial environment:
- brownfield site management
- contaminated soil containment
Energy:
- use of geothermal resources for heating and air conditioning
- renewable energy
- implementation of Kyoto Protocol mechanisms