Lifecycle design & systemic approach for energy efficiency in thermo-energy devices – CORENSTOCK

The major transitions of the 21st century, notably digital and environmental, are revolutionizing our lifestyles and have ultimately transformed the modes of industrial production. In addition, companies no longer define themselves solely by what they do, but also by their approach. Thus, innovation must become responsible and do better by consuming less: less raw materials, less energy, less consumables, while maintaining or improving the levels of performance, recyclability and lifespan. The design of a new product must therefore take into account from the outset the environment in which it will be used: it is no longer a question of manufacturing a standard product, but a product capable of adapting to its user, its needs and that is sustainable.

This context constitutes a powerful lever for transformation of the heating industry, by nature energy-intensive: the objective is now to produce systems communicating with their environment and their users, to optimize energy efficiency, by adapting to individual needs. . This transformation requires this partnership research program which aims to achieve two major and complementary advances:

(i) The design of a new technological generation of thermal generation systems aiming at both energy efficiency and increased service life;

(ii) The development and implementation of new systemic design methods, catalyzing a long-term transition from industrial innovation practices.

This whole project is at the heart of a long-term partnership between IMT and elm.leblanc, aimed at supporting the energy and digital transformation of this company, through research, innovation and training, transformation requiring in fact strong support for staff, via the creation of a training program dedicated to IMT.

The target of the research program will be the element for storing domestic hot water of the future, the heart of elm.leblanc's activity: more efficient, in particular from an energy point of view, less expensive in raw materials, recyclable, self-adapting according to the needs of the end user and whose durability is ensured by continuous monitoring. This objective can only be achieved by a holistic approach considering use and end of life from the design phase. Thus, the locks processed by CORENSTOCK will have to define all of the service functionalities and processes that mark out the phases of the life cycle of hot water tanks: energy efficiency in the production phase and in the use phase; intelligent management of thermal production and preventive maintenance during use; longer life and circular economy strategies at end of life.

The target of the research program will be the element for storing domestic hot water of the future, the heart of elm.leblanc's activity: more efficient, in particular from an energy point of view, less expensive in raw materials, recyclable, self-adapting according to the needs of the end user and whose durability is ensured by continuous monitoring. This objective can only be achieved by a holistic approach considering use and end of life from the design phase. Thus, the locks processed by CORENSTOCK will have to define all of the service functionalities and processes that mark out the phases of the life cycle of hot water tanks: energy efficiency in the production phase and in the use phase; intelligent management of thermal production and preventive maintenance during use; longer life and circular economy strategies at end of life.