VISITS ON 5 SEPTEMBER

Renewables are abundant but not always at the right time. The Laboratory of Renewable Energy Science and Engineering (LRESE) investigates the conversion of renewable energies (solar, wind, biomass, hydro and geothermal) into storable fuels, materials and commodities. A special focus lies on novel, solar driven energy conversion processes based on solar thermal, thermochemical and electrochemical processes. The LRESE team will present both research and experimental facilities.

Geothermal systems and CO2 sequestration in deep geological formations are the focus of this visit to the EPFL Laboratory of Soil Mechanics LMS. Research at LMS investigates energy geostructures that can serve as structural supports as well as heating and cooling elements for building and infrastructures. Furthermore, it explores the potential of CO2 capture and storage in depleted oil or gas reservoirs, saline formations and coal seams based on structural, stratigraphic and chemical trapping mechanisms. The world's first geothermal panel marketed by the LMS spin-off Enerdrape will also be presented.

To ensure a sustainable, economic and secure electricity supply, the EPFL Distributed Electrical Systems Laboratory develops advanced smart grid solutions. The main topics of this visit refer to smart grids monitoring and operation technologies. Prof. Paolone's team will present a time-deterministic monitoring system of the EPFL campus used to control in real-time a utility-scale battery energy storage system to achieve multiple control functions.

The Lab for Creative Computation (CRCL) operates at the interface of design, digital technologies and construction. This visit will explore new construction modes that combine robotics with human interventions and digital media, in pursuit of more creative solutions to contemporary design and construction challenges. A particular focus will be given to sustainable construction approaches. The lab will be presented by Professor Stefana Parascho.

Concrete and cement are key contributors to global CO₂ emissions, mainly due to energy-intensive clinker production. As the construction sector faces growing sustainability demands, improving these materials is essential. A visit to EPFL’s Laboratory of Construction Materials (LMC) offers insight into cutting-edge research on low-carbon alternatives, recycled aggregates, and optimized formulations. The lab’s wide range of testing facilities supports the development of durable, environmentally friendly concretes. This work plays a crucial role in aligning construction practices with energy transition goals and reducing the sector’s carbon footprint.

Framing daylight as a driver of both occupant well-being and building performance, the Laboratory of Integrated Performance in Design (LIPID) focuses on its impact across four dimensions: health, comfort, perception, and energy use. A visit to the lab showcases interdisciplinary research combining quantitative analyses with psycho-physiological experiments involving human participants. Emphasis is placed on linking environmental parameters to user experience, informing the development of design strategies that balance energy efficiency with visual and thermal conditions beneficial to well-being.

Swiss Solar Boat is a student-led EPFL project advancing sustainable maritime transport. Its first major prototype, Dahu, is a solar-powered hydrofoil that gained recognition in international competitions. In April 2024, the team achieved a milestone by completing a 26 km hydrogen-powered foiling crossing from Lausanne to Evian, showcasing hydrogen’s potential for clean navigation. Building on this success, the team is now developing the Renewable Energy Foiler (REF), a hydrogen-solar hybrid designed for passenger transport, with a 150 km range and speeds up to 35 knots.

The key focus of this tour will be the visit to a twin environmental and climatic chambers facility, which is a jointly operated by Integrated Comfort Engineering Lab and Human-Oriented Built Environment Lab situated on the Blue Factory site of EPFL Fribourg campus. These state-of-the-art chambers are designed for studying the combined impact of occupancy, HVAC systems and controls on indoor air quality, human exposure, thermal comfort and energy performance. The chamber can be modified to simulate distinct indoor environments, such as offices, classrooms, residences, hospitals and healthcare facilities, etc. Highlights of this tour will include technical tour of the twin-chambers' control systems and overview of experiments performed here. The tour of the environmental & climatic chambers will be guided by Professors Dolaana Khovalyg and Dusan Licina. In addition, participants will be able to discover a series of developments and projects coordinated by the Building2050 team (led by Sergi Aguacil) in preparation for the exploitation of the Smart Living Lab building-- currently under construction -- as a research infrastructure. The exhibition will give an overview of the project and its multiple scales, including the Radon protection project to be implemented and led by Joëlle Goyette (Transform Institute, HEIA-FR). Also on the menu are the research activities of the Structural Xploration Lab led by Prof. Corentin Fivet, whose goal is to support the construction industry in its transition towards a more circular economy.