Module package: Integrated Approaches to Energy, Sustainability, and Engineering

Research jet engine at the Institute of Jet propulsion and Turbomachinery at Hermann-Blenk-Straße 37 at the Research Airport Braunschweig

This module cluster explores the critical intersection of energy systems, sustainability principles, and innovative engineering design. Students will delve into hydrogen as a key energy carrier, examining its role in the energy transition and industrial applications. The curriculum encompasses environmental management strategies, life cycle assessment methodologies, and methods for uncertainty analysis and quantification essential for informed decision-making.

An interdisciplinary study thesis / student project can be combined with three lectures out of a pool of five for a total amount of 30 ECTS. This way, the module cluster can be adapted to your individual study background and future study goals.

List of modules:

The lecture examines hydrogen’s physical and chemical properties. It discusses various production methods, each assigned a color, and their use in transportation within a color-coded system. The course covers storage forms—gas, liquid, solid, including metal hydrides, complex hydrides, and MOFs—and introduces the "power to gas" concept for storing renewable energy. Practical examples from the transport sector demonstrate hydrogen's mobile applications.

The lecture focuses on the topic of hydrogen mobility and hydrogen as an energy carrier for the future. By participating in the lecture, students will be able to explain the fundamentals of a hydrogen economy and establish objective criteria for its ecological implementation in the transport sector. They will be able to name the basic physical and chemical properties of hydrogen. The students will also be able to independently apply thermodynamic properties and associated kinetic calculations, as well as efficiency calculations. They can analyze and explain both established and future storage forms for hydrogen. They are able to assess the advantages and disadvantages of hydrogen use in comparison to battery-electric propulsion of vehicles and make comparisons with the alternative combustion of hydrogen. Based on this knowledge, they can decide which form is more energy-efficient. Through extensive discussions, students will be sensitized to the safety-relevant topics necessary in connection with hydrogen as an energy carrier.

The lecture imparts knowledge about probability and random variables, advanced Monte Carlo methods, stochastic quadrature, stochastic spectral methods, global sensitivity analysis, data-driven quantification of uncertainties.

Students can name the basic rules of probability theory and the various elementary descriptions of probability distributions as well as examples of distributions. They can model physical/technical systems stochastically with the help of random variables. Students can also apply Monte Carlo and stochastic spectral methods to quantify uncertainties and analyse the effects and propagation of uncertainties in models using sensitivity analysis methods. They are also able to assess the numerical efficiency of these methods. Students will be able to explain the procedure for data-driven uncertainty quantification.

Imparted content of this lecture includes culture of "good scientific practice" in engineering research and development, definitions and understanding of innovation, holistic dimension of innovation, methods that enable inspired access to innovation, organizational development and leadership culture, as well as responsibility and responsiveness.

Students are familiar with different levels of knowledge. Students have learned that factual knowledge is the basis for development in the engineering sciences. They can differentiate between innovation variants (e.g. linear development and development spurts). Students can assess what promotes or slows down innovative ability. They can develop organizational structures and leadership skills that strengthen the ability to innovate. Students are aware of their responsibility in connection with innovation processes.

The course delves into the foundations of energy utilization in industrial systems and provides knowledge about methods and technologies to increase energy efficiency. The curriculum involves analyzing energy profiles and measures through Sankey diagrams, material and energy flow analysis (MEFA), and further methods. These are applied across factory layers, from machines and process chains to technical building services to entire factory systems and their surroundings. Participants benefit from industry expert insights and learn about energy flexibility in production. Theoretical knowledge is supplemented by an application-oriented team project involving the identification and assessment of energy efficiency measures for specific machines at the Institute of Machine Tools and Production Technology (IWF).

Students gain experience in planning, assessing, and implementing energy efficiency initiatives in industrial application These include defining strategies and principles (efficiency, effectiveness, flexibility, and resilience) as well as evaluating energy supply and utilization in production systems before economic and environmental criteria. Students are capable of illustrating the results of efficiency strategies to non-experts and correctly applying relevant assumptions, limitations, and conditions. They design their own research questions within a team project, evaluate experiments, and derive presentations of research findings. They organize themselves in the team project and gain experience in relevant soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, and presentation skills. They are able to identify relevant fields of action and specific measures for energy efficient production.

Based on thermal separation theory, the typical workflow for process design and optimization is demonstrated. Commercial software is used for modeling and simulating tasks such as property data collection, regression, and parameter estimation, as well as two-phase flash separation and tray-by-tray modeling of distillation columns. Students explore different mixtures, design specifications, and flow simulations. The course covers process optimization especially with respect to the thermal energy demand, equipment design and rating as well as cost calculation.

Students can select and assess information on physical properties and phase equilibria needed for modelling and simulation of liquid separation processes, particularly vapor-liquid separations. They are capable of translating a given process flow sheet or separation problem into a suitable reflection in a flow sheet simulation based on equilibrium stage models. They can perform cost-optimized selection and sizing for core equipment with a special focus on distillation columns and heat exchangers. Overall, they understand the typical workflow in designing fluid separation processes through computer-aided process engineering. Students are able to communicate and deliver this knowledge in English both orally and in writing.

This lecture examines hydrogen's properties, storage, and production, focusing on green and blue hydrogen and electrolysis. It explores the role of hydrogen in energy strategies, regulatory aspects, and electricity generation costs, with a focus on photovoltaics and wind power. Hydrogen conversion, storage options, and their energy requirements are discussed, alongside transport methods like trucks and pipelines. Finally, the use of hydrogen in industries and mobility is overviewed.

Students gain knowledge in hydrogen production, economics, storage, transport, and use. After completing the lecture and exercises, they can identify hydrogen applications, describe general relationships along the value chain, recognize hydrogen's relevance in achieving climate neutrality, name and explain relevant hydrogen technologies, and discuss and reflect on key features related to the energy sector's transformation.

Students independently deepen their knowledge in energy engineering and contribute to solving current issues in the field. Content varies based on specific tasks and may change annually, drawing from the host supervisor’s project environment. Conduction of the projects in groups of up to three is encouraged, but not mandatory.

Students are able to independently work on and methodically address a complex topic in sustainable energy engineering. Additionally, they develop communication skills and the ability to develop, implement, and present concepts within the presentation.

Current topics in English are offered each semester on the participating institute’s websites:

More topics may be requested by directly contacting research associates of any other institute from the faculty of mechanical engineering.

General information

Disciplines	Energy Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Industrial Engineering
Semester	Summer semester
Level of study	Master
ECTS credit	up to 40
Faculty	Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Institute	Institute of Internal Combustion Engines and Fuel Cells

Contact

For further information on the module package, please contact:

Prof Dr rer nat Georg Garnweitner
g.garnweitner(at)tu-braunschweig.de
+49 531 3 91-65371

Module package: Integrated Approaches to Energy, Sustainability, and Engineering

List of modules:

General information

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