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Robin Girard

Robin Girard

Research Director

Center · PERSEE

Keywords

Awards & distinctions

  • 2019 Elected as a member of the Steering Committee of the Franco-German Office for Energy Transition (OFATE),

Team

ERSEI - Energies Renouvelables et Systèmes Energétiques Intelligents

Biography

Robin Girard is a researcher specializing in energy systems and their transition to low-carbon models. His work focuses primarily on the integration of renewable energy, the optimization of power grids, and the techno-economic modeling of energy infrastructure. His research addresses key issues such as the optimal planning of direct current (MVDC) and alternating current (AC) grids, the electrification of industrial and residential applications, and the evaluation of building retrofit strategies for energy efficiency using life cycle assessment (LCA) and multi-objective optimization methods. He also explores synergies between industrial sectors to reduce CO₂ emissions, particularly through the use of green hydrogen, bioenergy, and carbon capture technologies. His contributions include the development of bottom-up models to simulate decarbonization trajectories at the local and European levels, as well as decision-support tools for public and private stakeholders. His work is based on quantitative approaches, combining linear programming, stochastic analysis, and geospatial methods to assess the costs, performance, and environmental impacts of energy solutions.

Publication(s)

Teaching

Changes in the Electric Power System in the Context of the Energy Transition

Course Director

Overview - The electric power system is a key component of the energy transition, which is intended to help decarbonize our economy and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. In this context, nuclear power plays an important role, and renewable energy sources—which are becoming increasingly affordable—are also expected to make a significant contribution. These renewable energy sources pose some challenges due to their dependence on weather conditions, land, and the mineral resources they require. At the same time, France’s nuclear fleet is at a pivotal juncture, with issues surrounding the extension of plant lifespans and the renewal of facilities. Changes in electricity consumption—particularly in electric heating and electric vehicle use—are key issues here, as are the electrification of industry, hydrogen production, and synthetic fuel production, among others. In this context, defining and calculating the environmental and economic costs and benefits of the electric power system is a top priority. This topic is underpinned by complex issues at the intersection of optimization, statistics, economics, electrical engineering, meteorology, politics, and more. Program: Day 1: Electrification in the Energy Transition Course Outline: Sector-by-sector analysis of past, present, and future trends from a carbon-neutrality perspective. Demand trends and electrification across multiple sectors. Introduction to some basic concepts of energy economics, calculation of the LCOE (levelized cost of energy), and cost analysis by energy source. Hands-on exercises using Excel spreadsheets: (1) how to achieve carbon neutrality strategy goals in the building, transportation, and industrial sectors; (2) Calculating the economic cost of an electric power system. Using the Python simulation tool: installation and overview of the tool’s structure; initial hands-on experience with time series data on consumption and renewable energy production. Day 2: Electric Power System Operation and Planning (1/2) Course Outline: Presentation of the challenges posed to the electric power system by the variability of electricity consumption and renewable generation. Presentation of existing flexibility solutions. Mathematical models for simulating the operation and planning of the electric power system. Lab: Presentation of mini-project topics (simulating RTE scenarios, analyzing the role of storage, the nuclear load factor, a highly renewable future, the role of hydrogen, industrial flexibility, electric vehicles, the risks of temperature sensitivity, … ) and formation of groups. First hands-on session using the POMMES tool developed for this course (based on Linopy, a Python package implemented by the PyPSA community) Day 3: Operation and Planning of the Electric Power System (2/2) Course sequence outline: In-depth study. Operation: reserve capacity, cost of flexibility. Lagrange multipliers and interpretation. Planning: sizing flexibility solutions, the concept of system cost, development pace constraints, space utilization constraints, … presentation of past studies (RTE, ADEME, IEA, …). Practical work: continuation of the mini-project. Day 4: Electricity Market and Grids Course Outline: Presentation of the various markets (forward, day-ahead, intraday, reserve, capacity) and their connection to optimization problems (and Lagrange multipliers). Grids: description of transmission and distribution. Planning methods. Developments in the context of the energy transition. Practical work: continuation of the mini-project. Methodology - Teaching Format: Instruction is delivered in the form of: – lectures aimed at presenting the management and planning challenges of the electric power system in the context of the energy transition, as well as the methods for solving them. The various stakeholders and electricity markets are also presented. – hands-on application of the optimization tools presented, which will enable participants to understand the factors that impact the environmental and economic costs of the power system. Several electricity mixes will be presented and studied during this module, but the French or European system will serve as the reference for the practical exercises. These practical exercises will be conducted using Python in conjunction with the Linopy optimization software (also written in Python). The corresponding source code is available here: POMMES

Energy-Efficient Building Renovations

Course Director

The goal of this week-long course is to provide an overview of the technical, economic, and political issues surrounding the thermal retrofitting of buildings, alternating between lectures and group analysis exercises. The courses will be taught by instructors from various backgrounds. The Scientific and Technical Center for Building (CSTB) and an expert from Enertech will cover the technical aspects: how to model a building’s performance, the technical stages involved in a renovation project, the challenges involved, and the issues surrounding comprehensive renovation. Enertech will share the hands-on experience gained through the Doremi association. Researchers from the École des Mines will present their analysis of public policies: on the one hand, offering economists’ perspectives on the effectiveness of existing public policies (such as the rental ban introduced in the Climate and Resilience Act and Energy Performance Certificates), and on the other, sociologists’ perspectives on the history of the Energy Performance Diagnosis (EPD) and renovation policies. Finally, the floor will be given to stakeholders on the ground who are working to encourage condominium associations to take the step toward renovation and who are well-versed in the drivers and barriers to this necessary transition. Lastly, the central government will present its vision of public policy and the challenges of interministerial coordination. In the practical sessions, students will work in groups to analyze current and proposed public policies based on a simplified technical-economic model of the building stock (written in Python). A ban on renting out homes with poor energy ratings? A ban on gas or oil-fired boilers in renovation projects? A mandatory renovation requirement when refurbishing facades? What levels of effectiveness can be expected from these policies? What would be the cost to the community? To answer these questions, students will have access to a model of the French housing stock and technical-economic models of possible renovation measures. At the end of the week, each group will present the results of its modeling and its analysis of a selected public policy.

Grid-Connected Renewable Energy: Challenges and Prospects

Course Director

Renewable Energy (RE): Development Prospects in the European Context Structure and Operation of Electric Power Grids Impacts of Decentralized Electricity Generation on Power Grids Connection of Independent Producers to the Distribution Grid Technological Developments in Wind Turbines Mapping, forecasting, and utilization of wind resources Grid-connected photovoltaic systems Solar Energy: Thermodynamic Utilization for Electricity Generation The lectures are delivered by the CEP faculty as well as by guest speakers from key industry players (grid operators, engineering firms, and equipment suppliers).

Energy Systems Engineering (ISE) track

Course Director

The course is designed to introduce students to the world of energy in general and the related industrial challenges. In their second year, students work on a project related to a current issue. 2015: Potential impact of direct and distributed load shedding on the load curve 2016: Storage technologies to improve the flexibility of the power grid 2017: Large-scale integration of renewables: what are the limits? This project begins with a study trip to a region of the world affected by the issue. In the third year, the elective month consists of three weeks combining industry conferences, site visits, and projects (well-to-wheel, smart grids), as well as a week of hands-on practical work modeling energy systems at the PERSEE laboratory in Sophia-Antipolis. The elective project is selected during the first quarter. It typically takes place at an industrial company—such as an automotive or aerospace manufacturer, an electric utility, gas company, or oil company, an equipment manufacturer, or an engineering firm. The work is carried out under the supervision of an engineer from the company, with guidance from researchers in the School’s Department of Energy and Processes, which has a staff of 150. Some representative elective topics covered in recent years: Analysis of the consequences of a large-scale increase in self-consumption (RTE) Introduction of capacity to electricity markets (EPEX SPOT) R&D on solar hydrogen (Air Liquide Japan) Study of the technical and economic feasibility of a new architecture for a hybrid fuel-cell vehicle (Valeo) Analysis of the environmental and economic potential of new biogas utilization pathways in France (ENEA Consulting) Development of solar PV projects in Africa (Total Energies Nouvelles) Maintenance of ultrasonic meters (GRTgaz) Study of a generalized contribution by loads to maintaining the frequency of a decarbonized European power system with high renewable energy penetration (EDF R&D) Trajectory and performance studies for advanced launch vehicle concepts (CNES) Energy optimization of the Paris-Lyon high-speed rail line (Alstom Transport)

PhD supervision

  • 2025 Trajectory optimization for decarbonizing a building stock LAGRANDCOURT Sarah
  • 2025 Modeling and calibration methodology for multi-scale building park electricity load curves for evaluating renovation and flexibility scenarios LEMAITRE Clara
  • 2024 Integration of CO2 resources into territorial energy planning. BERCHICHE Maria
  • 2024 Coupling of smart grids between transmission and distribution networks CHICHE Yoann
  • 2023 Decision support methods for connecting medium-voltage direct current solutions to the electricity transmission network. CORNAGGIA Laurent
  • 2023 Optimization of planning and operation of a multi-energy system at the scale of an industrial territory KNIBIEHLY Thibaut
  • 2023 Optimization method by coupling for energy systems planning HAMBURGER Hugo
  • 2022 Decision support method for the development and contracting of green hydrogen production systems. PALMER Owen
  • 2022 What place for heat networks in the European energy system in 2050? VRAIN Maxime
  • 2022 Prospective methodology for identifying optimal renovation strategies for the residential stock integrating economic cost, carbon footprint, and summer thermal comfort GOESSEL Thibault
  • 2021 Assessment of the energy renovation potential of a territory within the framework of massification approaches RIT Martin
  • 2021 Modeling the impact on the power system of industrial decarbonization RAILLARD-CAZANOVE Quentin
  • 2020 Decision support for the deployment of hydrogen as an energy vector at the territorial scale. JODRY Anaëlle
  • 2018 Optimization of Multi-source Data Integration in Short-term Photovoltaic Production Forecasting Models BELLINGUER Kevin
  • 2018 Technical-economic optimization of the flexibility mix of an electrical system HEGGARTY Thomas
  • 2018 Modeling the evolution of electricity market prices in a context of high renewable energy penetration MAHLER Valentin
  • 2016 Towards an integrated approach to supporting territorial energy planning - application to the energy renovation of buildings ROGEAU Antoine
  • 2015 Optimization of distribution network planning and operation in the context of high penetration of renewable energy sources GROVER-SILVA Etta
  • 2015 Short-term forecasting of smart home electricity demand and distribution networks GEROSSIER Alexis