Student team members can work on internship projects that are typically between 3 to 4 months, or on graduation research projects that are between 6 to 9 months. A number of topics are suitable for smaller research projects such as SIP2, WM0915TN, AE3T50 "case study", etc. Student projects typically fall into one of the following four categories:
Hardware and software development related to the current 20 kW demonstrator. Topics cover kite design, mechatrotonic components in ground station or airborne control unit, sensors, embedded systems, reliability and efficiency improvements, etc.
Automated control of kite-power systems. Development of component models, system
models and controllers to improve the automated control system.
Main goals: Improve the power output, implement automated launch and landing,
minimize the control effort.
Modelling, simulation and optimization of kites to support the technical development. Computer models can range from particle system models to high-detail engineering analysis using Multi-Body System Modelling, Finite Element Analysis or Computational Fluid Dynamics. Predictive modelling of Fluid-Structure Interaction of a flying kite is one of the most challenging topics in this category.
Theoretical feasibility studies on scaling up larger kite power systems, deployment at specific locations, etc. The results of these studies are used for the commercial exploration, e.g. as input for business plans.
- Feasibility study on a commercial 20 kW kite power system for rapid deployment in crisis areas
- Feasibility study on grouping 50 kW kite power systems in a permanent 1 MW installation
- Feasibility study on using large kite power systems in a multi-MW range offshore park
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