Design Project Renewables Based Energy Conversion and Storage

The finalisation of the ELECS minor consists of a project (12 ECTS per student) in which the students, in interdisciplinary group work, based on the boundary conditions of a renewable energy supply system, will conceptually develop, design and evaluate an energy conversion system with storage, or will develop and test a novel energy conversion/storage concept on a component level. This can be done via modelling and/or setting up and performing experiments.

The design project will take place during the 1st and 2nd period (Q1 and Q2) of the academic year. During Q1 (3ECTS) the students will more precisely define the goal of the design, do a literature search, and do preparatory work (including ordering materials, parts and sensors in case of experimental setups). Q1 will be closed with an oral presentation of the design plan. The actual design and evaluation of the process or component will take place during Q2 (9 ECTS). Q2 will be closed with a final report, a working model or prototype, and a pitch and poster presentation at the ELECS final symposium.

In Q1, week 4, the students need to deliver a 2-to-3-page summary of the literature search. This will be evaluated by the supervisors (weight 10%).

In Q1, week 9, the students need to deliver a 8-minute design plan presentation (i.e. the motivation, precise goal, results of the literature search, and an outline of their approach), followed by 3 minutes of questions. The presentations of all student groups will be organised in a joint session with as many supervisors present as possible. The presentation will be evaluated by the supervisors (weight 15%).

In Q2, week 9, the students need to deliver a final report and a working model or prototype. This will be evaluated by the supervisors (report has weight 40%, model or prototype has weight 20%).

A few days later in Q2, week 9, during the ELECS final symposium, the students will give a short pitch of their design in 4 minutes, followed by presentation of more details in a poster session. The pitch and poster presentation will be evaluated by the supervisors (weight 15%).