Sébastien Le Fouest

Doctoral Assistant
sebastien.lefouest@epfl.ch +41 21 693 42 84
EPFL STI IGM UNFOLD
MED 0 2920 (Bâtiment MED)
Station 9
CH-1015 Lausanne
+41 21 693 42 84
Office: MED 0 2920
EPFL > STI > IGM > UNFOLD
Web site: Web site: https://unfold.epfl.ch
Web site: Web site: https://go.epfl.ch/edey
Mission
As a researcher, my interests revolves around the establishment of a sustainable system for energy conversion, transportation and consumption. I am most interested in the unsteady aerodynamics of energy conversion systems, more specifically vertical-axis wind turbines. These ergonomic turbines produce electricity regardless of wind directions and are less noisy than their horizontal-axis counterparts. My mission at EPFL is to bring vertical-axis wind turbines closer to commercial viability
Current work
My thesis investigates the occurrence of dynamic stall on vertical-axis wind turbines. I use an experimental approach to visualise the flow around the blades of a wind turbine and to measure aerodynamic loads. I aim to assess the potential of active blade pitching to control the occurrence of dynamic stall to maximise power performance and wind turbine life-time.
The competencies I developed throughout my doctoral studies are: unsteady aerodynamic diagnostic, partical-image velocimetry, mechanical design, data driven optimisation & control, science communication, fluid mechanics and renewable energies.
Education
MEng Mechanical Engineering
Engineering
Imperial College London
2013 - 2017