Master thesis: Open-source software for large solar thermal plants

AEE - Institut für Nachhaltige Technologien (AEE INTEC)

AEE - Institute for Sustainable Technologies (AEE INTEC) is a non-university research institute founded in 1988. AEE INTEC currently employs around 80 researchers from eleven nations and hosts PhD and master students, and interns. AEE INTEC works in the fields of "Buildings", "Cities and Networks", "Technology Development" and "Industrial Systems" on fundamental and application-oriented research in national and international R&D projects.

Research project

The master's thesis is part of an ongoing research project about Digital Twins for large solar thermal plants. The project aim is to develop methods for SunPeek (sunpeek.org), an open-source software for detailed performance assessment of large-scale solar thermal plants. The thesis focuses on developing and automating certain monitoring procedures in a “real-time” data setting; solar plants with an established data connection are already available. The overall goal is to contribute to plant operation and maintenance by detecting effects such as pollution, degradation or loss of efficiency.

Master’s thesis

The focus is on the software implementation and further development of the test procedure D-CAT (Dynamic Collector Array Test), which exists as a proof of concept from previous projects. Validated measurement data for method and software development are available. The method has high practical relevance, as it could be used for energy yield proofs and guarantees for solar thermal plants.

Tasks

• Dynamic solar yield modeling and simulation, implementation for test plants
• Interpretation and visual presentation of results
• Optional: Implementation of parameter estimation, analysis of optimization algorithms
• Optional: Radiation conversion algorithms required to apply the model
• If needed implementation of algorithms for data quality, KPIs and radiation conversion

We offer

• Paid master's thesis with possibility for scientific publications.
• Mention as a contributor in the open-source project.
• Support and involvement in a participative, multidisciplinary team.
• Exchange with industry partners and possibility of participation in webinars / trainings.

We expect

• Current enrollment in a master’s program with a focus on physics, software development, energy engineering, control engineering, or similar.
• Experience with software development, Python / web technologies / JavaScript / Grafana
• Good knowledge of English (CEFR B2 level or equivalent)

Work plan

Planned duration: 6 months
Start date: asap
Location: Gleisdorf (Austria) / home office

Contact

DI Philip Ohnewein
p.ohnewein@aee.at
+43 (0)660 4741783