Seven partners from four European countries gathered at Ecole Centrale de Nantes on June 24th to kick-off overhauled research project configuration on floating offshore wind energy, featuring a France premiere.

 Feasibility of floating-wind turbine

The objective of the FLOATGEN project is to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of floating-wind turbine, in order to expand the development potential of offshore wind farms into more windy and deeper waters that are not currently commercially viable and demonstrate potential in decrease of costs for electricity generation.

Wind turbine project

The project will also assess the performance of such combination of wind turbine and floating structure technology to get the knowledge to improve the performance of future up scaling projects of this technology.

Mauro Villanueva, Technology Development Director of GAMESA and coordinator of FLOATGEN, underlines “The project has undergone several changes but is now ready to demonstrate the first 100% European technology wind floating demonstrator at 12 miles offshore the French Atlantic coast.”

Ecole Centrale Nantes in the project with SEM-REV

Originally launched in January 2013, FLOATGEN now welcomes Ecole Centrale de Nantes and its test site SEM-REV within the consortium. “SEM-REV consists in a 1km² test site offshore zone including oceanographic monitoring instruments and an onshore research centre, a sub-sea high voltage export cable, a sub-sea connection system and an electrical substation connected to the national grid. At this moment, SEM-REV is fully operational in terms of authorizations which fit perfectly with FLOATGEN project planning.” explains Christian Berhault, director of the SEM-REV Marine Energy Test Site

The consortium now features 7 partners led European consortium, industry led by the global wind turbine manufacturer, GAMESA, in close cooperation with the floating foundation supplier IDEOL, the contribution of UNIVERSITY OF STUTTGART and supported for monitoring, environmental and dissemination activities by FRAUNHOFER-IWES and RSK GROUP, and last but not least the Ecole Centrale de Nantes that operates the SEM-REV test site.

The 2 MW demonstrator will use IDEOL’s Damping Pool ® technology, a cost efficient patented ring-shaped surface floating platform. Its novel hydrodynamic properties make its performance exceptional compared to other floating platforms. Its patented moon pool concept acts as a damper to wave motion thanks to the oscillation of the water mass entrapped in such inner pool. These oscillations compensate for wave diffraction loads and thus reduce the induced motion on the turbine.

As an interface for all digital cultures on an international scale, Digital Week will bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, start-uppers, art enthusiasts, interested parties, non-profit associations and specialists, but it is also aimed at the general public and invites people to address the challenges of digital technology.

40 events hosted by 40 stakeholders

“The aim of this inaugural Digital Week is to encourage joint thinking on digital technology. This is the first time that a digital event in Nantes will bring together all local stakeholders. It offers an opportunity to make our ecosystem even stronger”, stresses Johanna Rolland, Mayor of the City of Nantes and President of Nantes Métropole.

A cross-cutting approach to digital technology promotes interaction on innovation, training, research, culture, industry, health and citizenship.

Digital Week comprises some forty gatherings (including Start-up weekend, Fablab, Medialab speed training, Médias 2030) and incorporates two key events:

-    The 13^th Scopitone festival hosted by Stéréolux, an unmissable gathering for digital arts and electronic music enthusiasts.

-    Digital Intelligence, an interdisciplinary conference organised by the universities of Nantes and Laval (Quebec). The aim is to create the first international scientific event devoted to the study of emerging digital cultures and associated individual and collective forms of intelligence. Over 400 researchers from around the world are expected to attend.

Digital technology in all its guises throughout the city

Exhibitions, lectures, concerts, hands-on sessions, demos, workshops – Digital Week aims to offer continuous opportunities for reflection, participation, training, practical experience and creativity on topics and challenges relating to digital technology.

A manifestation of the flourishing digital dynamism of Nantes, Digital Week will involve the entire city, including the creative district of the Ile de Nantes, Le Lieu unique, the university campus, the Cité des Congrès conference centre, the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, the Créatic hub and the Digital Canteen.

 An iconic event for the Nantes Tech bid

Digital Week highlights the message of the Nantes Tech bid: shared commitment to a dynamic ecosystem and a joint approach to digital technology.

> Digital Intelligence Program

This year again, the Carrefour International du Bois confirmed its place as a leading trade show in Europe. Over 10,000 timber industry professionals from 74 countries gathered in Nantes from 4 to 6 June 2014 to learn about the latest innovations in timber in Europe.

Model of the Philéas Solar Decathlon project

In all, no less than 530 exhibitors participated in the 13th edition, covering all sectors and trades dealing with timber products. The increase in traffic is mainly due to the diversity and quality of the offering.

More international visitors

As a key business event for the entire timber industry, the Carrefour International du Bois this year attracted 25% foreign professionals, up 2% from last year.

Impressive architectural scene

The first ever International Conference on “Timber, Design and Eco-construction” held Friday, June 6 brought together more than 130 people. The conference highlighted the resilience of timber to different climates around the world.

Internationally famous architects were present at this event on timber construction, organized by the International Agency Nantes Saint-Nazaire.

They were all fascinated by the exciting things happening in Nantes. “The cultural

Dominique Gauzin-Müller, an architect journalist specializing in sustainable construction and keynote speaker at the conference

dynamics of the city positively influence architecture,” said Dominique Gauzin-Müller, an architect journalist specializing in sustainable construction and keynote speaker at the conference.

“The architecture scene in Nantes is amazing. When architects from Vorarlberg (Austria) asked me to arrange a visit to France, I didn’t hesitate for a second, I brought them to Nantes!” she added.

Pierre Thibault, architect and interior designer in Quebec

This dynamic image of Nantes is shared by her foreign colleagues. “The cultural dynamics in Nantes open up your mind,” said Pierre Thibault, architect and interior designer in Quebec. “The speed with which projects progress is very impressive, especially on the Ile de Nantes“.

Mamoun Zaari is an architect in Morocco. This is

Mamoun Zaari is an architect in Morocco.

the first time he’s been back to Nantes since he visited in 1998. “Nantes has changed a lot!” he exclaimed, “The look of the city, but also everything that’s going on in terms of culture. It’s amazing!”

The timber industry is historically rooted in Nantes Saint-Nazaire. The region has some fifty educational institutions, including the Ecole Supérieure du Bois, and industry leading skilled trade firms.

In Nantes for just two days, Jason was already impressed by the dynamism of the city. “I came to Web2Day with an open mind,” says Jason Dominic, CEO of Arduum. His cooperative develops online platforms that promote financial donations and “make philanthropy accessible to all.”

“A tech-oriented city”

“There is a real desire to make Nantes a tech-oriented city,” says Jason, referring to the reconfiguration of the Alstom halls.

“With an infrastructure that features so many innovative clusters, businesses already in place can grow without having to go elsewhere. I think that’s really exciting!” he says. He even told us that he may consider moving here.

“Nantes, a gateway to Europe”

Dory Maalouf, co-founder of Dialog, is also pleased with what he saw. He came to Web2Day in Nantes to present his intuitive property management software.

“We know that Nantes is on the leading edge, especially in terms of engineering,” says Dory. “There are opportunities to build bridges between Quebec and Nantes. The city is sort of our Gateway to Europe.” Web2Day is an opportunity for him to forge the first links with local partners.

The eponymous start-up of Hadrien Ravary-Berger supports textbook publishers in publishing and posting their content online. At Web2Day in Nantes, Hadrien was able to schedule a number of constructive meetings.

“We had business meetings with various incubators and start-ups. These are potential partners and maybe even our future customers.”

“Major tech city”

For Amélie B. LeBel, Nantes is one of major tech cities in France. Partner and strategic advisor on social media at Kilovolt, Amélie hopes to find partners to develop joint projects.

“In Nantes, we are looking for a web development integration team to work with,” she says.

This year again, Web2Day affirmed its place as the 2^nd largest web event in France, with 1,850 participants from around the world.

The 3^rd Voyage à Nantes starts in late June with a new 12-km route featuring 42 stops, all more curious and wonderful than the others. You guessed it, just follow the green line…

From 27 June to 30 August, contemporary art is taking over the city of Nantes. As part of the Voyage à Nantes festival, artists from Nantes and worldwide share their perspective on history, science and ancient and modern art through unusual works. From the Lieu Unique to the western tip of the Ile de Nantes their art installations can be seen in the shops, gardens, buildings and iconic locations of the city.

 Japanese artists on exhibit…

This year’s Voyage à Nantes puts Japan in the spotlight. Nantes is celebrating 1,000 years of Japanese history with a unique exhibit on samurai warriors. More than 400 objects from Japanese and French museums and private collections will be exhibited at the castle of the Dukes of Brittany from June 28 to November 9, 2014.

The "Non-Thinker" by Aida Makoto will be in the courtyard of the castle of the Dukes of Brittany.

The exhibit will be complemented by the work by Aida Makoto whose sculptures will be on view in the courtyard of the Dukes of Brittany and inside the museum.

Another highlight is the presence of virtuoso of electronic minimalist art, Ryoji Ikeda. For the first time in France, the Japanese artist will present his new project cycle Supersymmetry & Superposition. The exhibition will be on display at the Lieu Unique from 27 June to 21 September 2014.

…Alongside Nantes talents

"On Air", the outdoor cinema at ENSA

A screen nine meters high will be erected on the roof of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture, serving as a veritable outdoor cinema overlooking the Loire.

Memoria, an exhibit on the notion of memory by Nantes artists Anne and Patrick Poirier, will be spread out over five different locations across the city.

To discover or rediscover

"The strange machine" by Vincent Mauger

Dozens of curious works will also be installed in iconic locations throughout Nantes, like “The Strange Machine” by Vincent Mauger (Place du Bouffay) and the colourful installation by Elsa Tomkowiak at the Graslin Theatre.

This year again viewers can admire the permanent works of the Voyage à Nantes, including “The Measuring Tape” (Ile de Nantes) and “Lunar Tree” (Butte Saint-Anne), not to mention those along the Estuary itinerary, like the famous House in the Loire.

Discover the program of the Voyage à Nantes online

A change for the Cité Nantes Events Center in 2013. On the occasion of its traditional Ambassadors’ Evening, the Nantes conference venue congratulated itself on achieving exceptional results in 2013: an impressive increase of 75% in comparison with 2012, with 25 international conferences hosted.

An international events harvest that will see the destination rising in the international rankings recognised by the business events sector. Nantes thus climbs to 126th position in the ICCA* rankings. *International Congress and Convention Association

This conference industry has yielded economic benefits of 100 million euros for 2013, representing 1,016 jobs generated (according to ‘France Congrès’ methodology).

International Achievement

During the Ambassadors’ Evening, the 2013 International Achievement Award was awarded jointly to the OMAE International Conference and the XVIII Congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association.

2014 Congress: a packed agenda

“The international development efforts made by the Nantes destination are bearing fruit (…) raising its international profile and visibility, and earning recognition from the global NGO conference industry“, underlines the Cité des Congrès in a press release.

This is borne out by the long series of conferences already booked in for 2014 – available for consultation in the venue’s business events calendar at meeting.nantes-just-imagine.com

]]> http://www.blog.nantes-just-imagine.com/2014/05/28/a-rich-harvest-of-international-conferences-for-nantes-in-2013/feed/ 0 http://www.blog.nantes-just-imagine.com/2014/05/23/ecole-de-design-nantes-atlantique-delhi-india/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed http://www.blog.nantes-just-imagine.com/2014/05/23/ecole-de-design-nantes-atlantique-delhi-india/#comments Fri, 23 May 2014 15:17:29 +0000 nantesjustimagine http://www.blog.nantes-just-imagine.com/?p=1745 Continue reading →]]> A protocol agreement has been signed between L’Ecole de Design Nantes Atlantique and The Design Village to open an interdisciplinary design university in Delhi, India.

Already present in Bangalore, l’Ecole de Design Nantes Atlantique is strengthening its presence on the Indian subcontinent. Through a new agreement, the school will open a campus in New Delhi through The Design Village, a project that relies on partnerships with world famous institutions.

Programs of excellence:

The program will offer master degrees in Graphic Design and Interior Architecture starting in September 2014. The Nantes School will provide expertise in terms of instructional design and coordination, administration and recruitment.

It will also be involved in creating several options including interactivity, fashion and architecture.

“Research-training-business”

The agency Archohm, responsible for designing The Design Village, plans to create an interdisciplinary facility based on the “research-training-business” model. The Delhi campus will take on the activities of l’Ecole de Design’s India Studio, based in Bangalore since 2010.

Ultimately, the campus is aiming to enrol 600 design students, including Indian and French students.

As a leading international school, l’Ecole de Design Nantes Atlantique will help develop a rich ecosystem featuring design, management and technology skills.

>> For more information, visit the official website of l’Ecole de Design Nantes Atlantique

“Wood, Design and Eco-construction: Converging Views” is the theme of this conference scheduled as part of the 13th Carrefour International du Bois. At the event, experts will discuss the adaptability of wood to different climates around the world.

Innovative building designs in wood

Architect Dominique Gauzin-Müller will be the keynote speaker. During the conference, organized by the Nantes Saint-Nazaire International Agency and Atlanbois, other foreign architects will present a sampling of their innovative building designs in Quebec, Morocco and the United Kingdom.

Nantes Saint-Nazaire, on the forefront of eco-construction

Atlanbois headquarters

On the forefront of eco-construction, the Nantes Saint-Nazaire metro area boasts a great number of surprising building designs made from wood. An overview of recent buildings will be showcased by Atlanbois, the trade association responsible for promoting wood in the Pays de la Loire Region.

The region holds the top position in France when it comes to furniture and industrial framing and ranks second in timber construction.

Alongside the conference, there will be a presentation of the model of the Phileas-Solar Decathlon Project, built by students from the grandes écoles of the Nantes Saint-Nazaire metro area.

• Conference date and location: Friday, June 6, 2014 – 10 am – Exponantes Park, Hall 4
• Registration required

The Royal de Luxe Giants return to Nantes, continuing their saga with a new show called “The Planck Wall” from 5 to 9 June 2014.

Slumbering at the Graslin Opera House

Lying in bed in the lobby of the Graslin Opera House, the 7.4 m tall Grandmother won’t wake up until her spirit catches up with her after a long intergalactic journey. For two days, from June 5 to 6, the Opera House serves as her mausoleum. But as soon as she wakes up, she’ll head out to discover Nantes.

Beyond the city centre

The Grandmother will start off the 3-day show by making her speech from the Tbilisi Bridge. The public will then be able to follow the Grandmother to the Dervallières neighbourhood. Sitting in her wheelchair, she will open her box of souvenirs (which weighs three tons!) to share her experiences with the people of the city.

All new: the giant speaks!

The Little Giant in the courtyard of the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany

The Grandmother is the first giant created by Royal de Luxe that actually speaks! Half Breton, half Irish, the grandmother will tell us, in a strange language that only the Giants understand, stories about the past history of the city of Nantes. Much the way our ancestors once did around the fire.

Poetically, she will tell a “Baby Giant” the stories that shaped the city of Nantes: the slave trade, the filling-in of the Erdre and the stuntman Willy Wolf who jumped off the Transporter Bridge.

The Planck Wall 

Where do the Giants come from? Jean-Luc Courcoult, creator of Royal de Luxe, explains the theory of Max Planck

We learn that the Giants live in the vast area behind the Planck Wall, this imaginary threshold that human science cannot cross and that precedes the Big Bang. There, where the Grandmother is queen and where her return is eagerly awaited.

 Nantes all dressed in white 

In another surprising twist, the Grandmother will arrange and participate in her own “funeral”, which is really just the symbolic transition from one world to another. To bid farewell to the Giant, the public is invited to dress in white for her departure on June 9.

Ambassadors of Nantes

This latest creation by Royal de Luxe is part of a series of shows that have fascinated Nantes for 20 years. True ambassadors of the cultural influence of Nantes, the Giants are world famous in the United States, Australia, Japan, Latin America and Ireland. They are also eagerly awaited in Liverpool, where they will celebrate in their own way the centennial of the First World War in July 2014.

Under the name Nantes Tech, Nantes applied in early May for the French Tech accreditation, an initiative launched in February 2014 by the government to promote the emergence of digital tech start-ups internationally.

Fertile ground for start-ups

iAdvize, Keosys, Obéo, Lewgow, HydrOcean… among the digital start-ups born in Nantes in recent years, many are now present on international markets.

The goal of Nantes Tech is to support a dozen new TechChampions in the next 10 years, and generate 10,000 jobs, in addition to the 19,000 existing tech-related jobs in the metro area.

Digital tech in the Alstom Halles

One reason for these success stories is the particularly creative and committed digital ecosystem in Nantes.

Designed to encourage interaction and co-working, the former Alstom Halles on the Ile de Nantes will soon be home to the Cantine numérique, a university digital tech centre, a makerspace, a userlab and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts.

Industrial Ecosystem

Nantes also benefits from a large number of industrial businesses that encourage innovation in sectors of excellence including aerospace, shipbuilding, marine renewable energy, materials and health.

More than 500 events dedicated to digital tech

The first scientific conference on emerging digital cultures, Digital Intelligence Symposium, organized jointly with Quebec, will be held in Nantes in September 2014.

And during the week, some thirty digital tech events are scheduled to create a Digital Week, including Startup Weekend, Medias 2030, Green Touch, Scopitone 2014 and more.

By seeking French Tech certification, Nantes brings together start-ups, entrepreneurs, institutional partners, investors, researchers and more, from all the local sectors of excellence.

All of these sectors and economic actors are mobilizing today to support Nantes’ French Tech accreditation application. The results will be announced in June, at the first national accreditation committee meeting.