An EDF delegation of six led by Mr. Daniel Fritsch visited IWHR on the morning of May 19, 2014 for academic exchange and project cooperation.

Vice President Wang Xiaogang met the delegation. He reviewed the sound cooperation between IWHR and the relevant departments of EDF, including the EDF R&D and DPIH (Direction of Hydroelectric Production and Engineering). Wang expressed his hope of continuing the promotion of research cooperation and information sharing between the two parties in water resources and hydropower related fields to achieve mutual benefit and win-win collaboration.

Mr. Daniel Fritsch thanked IWHR for the warm reception. He briefed upon the current challenges and future strategy of EDF, focusing on the business and projects of EDF-DPIH and EDF-CIH (Center of Hydraulic Engineering), shared the resolution of EDF in coping with the challenges of safe operation, security code, and environmental protection of water facilities, and the rational utilization of water resources, etc. He also gave a further introduction about EDF experience in the designing and operation of pumped storage power stations, the alkali aggregate reaction and optical fiber inspection of dams, dam failure data base development, and reservoir sediment management, etc.

Experts from IWHR also introduced the relevant research facility and project achievement of IWHR with a special focus on the technical issues related to the pumped storage power station, water-stop materials and bituminous concrete facing technologies, etc.