wind energy lab

Laboratory for Wind and Solar Energy

Welcome to the Laboratory for Wind and Solar Energy!

The Laboratory for Wind and Solar Energy focuses on the development of innovative technologies in the field of renewable energy. Through close collaboration with industry partners as well as national and international research institutions, we leverage state-of-the-art test rigs and technical facilities. Our research emphasis is on optimizing wind and solar systems to enhance their efficiency and performance. We use advanced numerical methods such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and machine learning to develop models that accurately predict the behavior of these systems under various environmental conditions, enabling their dynamic and adaptive operation.

Interested? Feel free to contact us!

Research

Our research focus is on optimizing wind and solar systems to increase their efficiency and performance. We employ advanced methods such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and machine learning to analyze the aero- and structural dynamics of wind turbines and improve the integration of solar systems into various environments.

A particular focus of our research is on wind farms, where we aim to enhance efficiency and reduce costs through the application of intelligent control systems.

The close integration of numerical simulations and artificial intelligence allows us to develop innovative solutions to the challenges of the energy transition and advance the use of renewable energies in various applications.

You can find an overview of our publications here.

Teaching

In teaching, we combine theory with practical experience through modern test rigs and real data. Our students use wind tunnels to explore aerodynamic effects and work with a wind turbine drivetrain to test the efficiency of gear-boxes and generators. The 100 kW Enercon E-18 wind turbine on campus provides valuable data for in-depth analysis.

Additionally, we offer test rigs for solar thermal systems, photovoltaic cells, and heat pumps. These practical experiments help students gain comprehensive knowledge of various renewable energy technologies and prepare them effectively for their professional future.

Projects for students

The Laboratory for Wind and Solar Energy offers interesting projects at all times. If you are interested in technical projects, theses, or other opportunities, feel free to contact us.

WIND ENERGY

Redesign of the electrical box (E-Box) for a small wind turbine
(Wind tunnel investigations with vortex generators on airfoil profiles)
Wind tunnel investigations and optimization of blade geometry for an experimental wind turbine
(Manufacturing of rotor blades from wood)
Programming and implementation of a braking system for the drivetrain of a wind energy system
Programming of a rotor speed measurement system
Various structural mechanics projects on hub-blade connections, drivetrain, base plate, etc.

PHOTOVOLTAICS