Francis Pharand

Mechanical engineer passionate about the electrification of transport.

Generator mechanical engineer (since March 2023)

General Electric –Vernova Division (Brossard, Québec)

• Design of alternator components for hydroelectric power plants
  • Review contracts, standards and technical guides
  • Analytically calculate various alternator components (busbars, collectors, welded assemblies, etc.)
  • Optimize design for manufacturing, construction and costs
  • Coordinate 3D modeling activities and parts drawing
  • Produce the BOM and monitor construction work on site
  • Respond to customer and supplier non-compliance reports

The Lion Electric Company (Saint-Jérôme, Québec)

• Design of thermal and high voltage systems for batteries
  • Review relevant standards and requirements
  • Carry out studies, analyzes and calculations for thermal and HV systems
  • Define the concepts (cooling plate, cooling network, bus bars, etc.) and carry out 3D modeling.
  • Optimize the thermal performance of the battery pack (temperature distribution, thermal insulation, electrical heating, etc.)
• High voltage battery testing and prototyping
  • Define validation plans and support during the tests if needed on site
  • Execute battery pack commissioning of electrical and thermal systems
  • Define and execute thermal event experimental tests.

The Lion Electric Company (Saint-Jerome, Québec)

• Integration of thermal systems for electric buses and trucks
  • Define performance requirements for cabin heating and powertrain cooling systems
  • Select suppliers. Define milestones and acceptance criteria.
  • Coordinate and supervise detailed design with internal teams
  • Support failures in service and recommend palliatives
• Tests and prototyping – passenger compartment and defrosting
  • Support vehicle prototyping team
  • Carry out performance tests in a climatic chamber and on the road

Micro Bird (Drummondville, Québec)

• Electric minibus development
  • Integrate vehicle HVAC systems
  • Develop and implement various options in production based on customer needs (battery cradle, dashboard, charging port, etc.)
  • Coordinate and supervise performance tests on the road and in the laboratory (vehicle autonomy, slope ability, extreme climatic tests, etc.)
• Testing and prototyping of new components for vehicles
  • Write protocols for various components and supervise tests (tensile test, compression, accelerated aging, etc.)
  • Issue recommendations and avenues for product improvment

• Undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering (2013 to 2017)
  • École de technologie supérieure (Universite du Québec, Montreal)
• College Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (2010 to 2013)
  • Cegep de l'Outaouais (Gatineau)