Electricit� de France

Electricit� de France (EDF) was set up in 1946 out of the desire to have a national electrical utility that could help rebuild the country after the Second World War. Since its creation, the company has had the responsibility for generating, transmitting and distributing electricity in France. Today, the company is internationalising its activities: EDF is present in 22 countries, where it supplies 42,9 million customers.

The aim of the EDF�s R&D Division is to keep electricity costs competitive, prepare the generating facilities of the future, enhance the quality of supply while preserving the environment, as well as to develop innovative solutions with the customer in mind. The variety of these objectives has led EDF to set up a strong R&D function, including multidisciplinary knowledge, and with a balance between basic research and industrial applications. Figures for EDF�s R&D activities in 2002 :

• 2464 employees, among which 1790 researchers and executives
• Participating in 84 European projects during FP5
• 4 main research sites: Clamart, Chatou, Les Renardi�res (France), Karlsruhe (Germany) and one branch in California (USA)

The sixteen-strong acoustics team has tens of years of experience in the measurement and the modelling of industrial sources.