Enrolment options

PHY585 - Experimental work in environmental physics


This course aims introducing students to experimental techniques related to environmental physics and renewable energies development.

The proposed subjects are renewed every year. As an example, we have recently proposed:

  • Development of a portative refrigerating system to allow Ethiopian fishermen bring their catches to the nearest market in safe sanitary conditions. Realization of a prototype respecting well-defined specifications.
  • Design of a photovoltaic electricity supply distribution network for low-cost housing in Addis Ababa: supply to every family 4kW during one hour, at least once a week; design of a fair distribution network between the various families; realization of a visual scheduling system for the preparation of the meals.
  • In-situ measurement of the atmospheric physico-chemistry, with an instrument of remote detection, the LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), allowing the analysis of a large variety of atmospheric phenomena, as the study of the atmospheric pollution by sprays or the formation and the dissipation of clouds. These measurements were made with the LIDAR of the Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique of the Ecole Polytechnique.
  • Study of the potential of environment-friendly energy sources (solar and wind powers), on the area of the Ecole Polytechnique, thanks to the atmospheric measurements of radiation and wind of the SIRTA (Site d’Instrumentation et de Recherche en Télédétection Atmosphérique).
  • Study of the meteorological model WRF for the prediction of solar radiation.
  • Optimization of solar energy and wind energy production, and design of an energy storage system, for the realization of a multi-renewable energy station.


Numerus clausus
= 12

French or English teaching


No requirements

Credits ECTS : 5

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