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Enjeux liés au sous-sol
Fundamental Research
News 01 April 2025

Improving our understanding of underground biogeochemistry

In the context of the energy transition, it is vital to study underground biogeochemical cycles given the pivotal role they play in H2 storage, geothermal energy, the extraction of critical metals and CO2 burial. Resident microbial communities have a significant influence on these environments, modifying permeability, for example, and rendering geothermal energy, gas storage and other such operations complex. Their metabolic activity can also cause damage, notably by corroding infrastructure and producing hydrogen sulfide.

Individual page

Nicolas FERRANDO

Project manager / Research Engineer
Nicolas Ferrando is graduated of Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Ingénieurs en Génie Chimique (Toulouse) with a Chemical Engineering master degree, followed by a PhD in Chemistry from Université Paris
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Benoît Chèze

Economist-Econometrician,
Economics and Environmental Evaluation Department, Economics and Technology Intelligence Division
Dr. Benoît Chèze holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University Paris Nanterre, and two M.Sc. in Environmental and Natural Resources Economics (University Paris Nanterre) and in Macroeconomics
Carnot IFPEN Ressources Energétiques
Innovation and Industry

Carnot IFPEN Ressources Energétiques
The Carnot IFPEN Ressources Energétiques (RE) brings together 12 laboratories of IFP Energies nouvelles. Labelled Carnot since 2020, it maintains strong links with the socio-economic world, both in France and internationally, and actively contributes to the Carnot institutes network. The Carnot IFPEN RE helps to meet the challenges of the
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Carlos NIETO-DRAGHI

Research Engineer / Project Manager
Carlos Nieto-Draghi (born in 1975) is a researcher and project manager in the Department of Thermodynamics and Molecular Simulation at IFPEN. He has been working for many years on the development of
Issues and Foresight

All about hydrogen
To achieve the objectives of the energy transition, France has turned its attention to the production and use of low-carbon and renewable hydrogen. Mainly used until now in the chemicals and refining sectors, this energy vector may be useful to contribute to the decarbonization of some industrial sectors, for electricity storage or as a fuel in the transport sector.
Issues and Foresight

Biogas and biomethane: turning our waste into energy
Purified biogas, known as biomethane, which has equivalent characteristics to those of natural gas, can be used in natural gas networks or as engine fuel. A renewable energy source as promising as it is virtuous…
Issues and Foresight

Geothermal energy: exploiting the planet’s heat
Using the Earth’s underground temperature to produce heat or electricity: that is the principle behind geothermal energy. Less well known than solar and wind energy, it is nevertheless the third most widely used renewable energy in France. This is how it works.
Issues and Foresight

Biofuels and e-fuels: renewable fuels of the future
How can more environmentally-friendly fuels be produced for cars, trucks, planes and boats? The answer lies in advanced biofuels and e-fuels! Produced from plant residues, organic waste, renewable electricity associated with CO2 molecules captured in the atmosphere or...
Issues and Foresight

Bio-based chemistry
Bio-based chemistry is chemistry in which fossil resources are partially or completely replaced by resources derived from biomass. In particular, it helps limit reliance on fossil resources for the production of certain types of products and reduces the environmental footprint of these products.
Issues and Foresight

An energy that surfs the waves
Technologies have progressed significantly and a whole host of different wave energy systems are in the process of being developed to convert this resource into electricity.