Research and innovation

Decarbonization is a cross-cutting issue that affects all technological and social systems. It is part of France’s national objectives for 2030.
The College of Engineering is leveraging the strengths of the Lyon–Saint-Étienne site to take action in five key areas:

• Energy: development of multi-energy networks enabling the optimal integration of renewable energies, improvement of the efficiency and flexibility of energy chains.
• Transport and mobility: design of carbon-free mobility systems, integrating data, perceptions, behaviors, public decisions, and environmental impacts.
• Buildings: energy efficiency (new materials, energy recovery, usage management) and optimization of demand at the building or neighborhood level.
• Industry: emergence of an “eco-efficient factory” through new low-impact materials, innovative processes, and redesigned organizations.
• Data and AI: use of data as a decarbonization tool, while managing its own energy impact.

All of these actions are based on a systemic approach combining technological innovations, understanding of uses, societal impacts, and environmental effects.

The circular economy involves transitioning from a linear model to a system based on repair, reuse, second life, and reducing environmental impact.
It encompasses three dimensions: environmental, economic, and social.

The Lyon Saint-Etienne Engineering Alliance focuses its actions on several priorities:

• Integration of planetary boundaries: consideration of impacts related to water, biodiversity, and other environmental indicators, supported by environmental assessment work.
• Transformation of value chains: development of new economic models (functionality, product-service systems), design for reuse, reengineering, and remanufacturing.
• Territorial dimension: modeling and optimization of local production-use-end-of-life loops, promotion of industrial and urban symbiosis.
• Materials and recycling:
  • positioning the site as a benchmark for plastics recycling,
  • development of innovative, functionalized, bio-based or multi-material materials,
  • use of additive manufacturing and surface methods,
  • complete life cycle management, standardization and digital twins.

This approach is based on a strong interdisciplinary approach (engineering, geography, data science, social sciences).

Digital transformation must support sustainable, sovereign, secure, and ethical development. This involves mastering digital infrastructure, uses, and impacts, in line with the objectives of France and the European Union.

The Lyon–Saint-Étienne site has built a strong identity in the fields of AI and data sciences, the cloud, the IoT, and Industry 4.0. It focuses its priorities on:

• Responsible data management: complete life cycle (production, collection, storage, governance, regulation, security, energy efficiency, infrastructure).
• Responsible Industry 4.0: digital solutions for clean processes, digital twins, smart materials, and agile and resilient business management.
• Connected cities and mobility: digital platforms for real-time data, anomaly detection, energy optimization, and dynamic mobility adaptation.
• Security, trust, and ethics: cybersecurity, algorithm explainability, legal regulation, and protection of individuals.
• Digital health: biosensors, connected patients, societal and organizational transformations.

A data center will strengthen the sovereignty, energy efficiency, and security of local infrastructure.