Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

The module is based on knowledge achieved when studying the 1st semester on the Master of Science in Energy Engineering on the Mechatronic Control Engineering specialisation or similar.

Learning objectives

Knowledge

• Have knowledge about and understanding of the operating principles of an energy transmission system comprising a power electronic converter feeding an electric actuator
• Be able to analyse such a system and be able to set up dynamic system models
• Have comprehensive knowledge about practical application of feedback control theory for such a system
• Have knowledge about scientific writing and communication

Skills

• Be able to apply appropriate methods and software tools for analysis of power electronic converters
• Be able to design modulators for power electronic converters and be able to design control systems for an electrical actuator fed from a power electronic converter using digital platforms
• Be able to verify the analysis, models and the design by means of laboratory experiments or by using real measured data series
• Have an innovative and entrepreneurial behavior giving value for the developed system/apparatus
• Be able to communicate scientific results professionally by means of a scientific paper and oral presentation

Competences

• Be able to control the working and development process within the project theme, and be able to analyse and develop a control system for an electric actuator fed by a power electronics converter
• Independently be able to define and analyse scientific problems in the said area
• Independently be able to continue own development in competence and specialisation

Type of instruction

Problem based project organised work in groups where students focus on proficient project leadership and management when finding their technical solution.

The project can be made in cooperation with external partners.

The project takes its base in an electric actuator that is used to drive a mechanical load. The actuator may be a poly-phase AC machine or another kind of electro-mechanical device. The actuator must be fed from a hard or soft-switched power electronic converter and closed-loop control principles must be adopted. The whole power transmission system must be analysed. Selected parts of the system may be developed and realized in the project. This may also include development of a power electronic converter, a digital control system or interfacing circuitry. Requirements to control strategies for the converter and the actuator must be formulated. Suitable modulation methods and controllers must be analysed, designed, simulated and evaluated.

Laboratory implementation and tests of the whole system or selected parts of it must be conducted and evaluated.

Project work including supervision may be supplemented with lectures, workshops, presentation seminars, consultant meetings regarding PBL content, laboratory tests, etc.

The project work must be documented in a scientific way by a summary report, a paper and a poster as described under "Additional Information".

Extent and expected workload

It is a 15 ECTS project module, and the student workload is expected to be 450

Exam

Prerequisite for enrollment for the exam

• It is a precondition that all students participate in the Conference for MSc Energy Students (CES). Students are required to prepare a scientific paper and a poster which must be presented at the conference.
• In case of a re-exam, the student will have to present the scientific paper and poster in front of a committee made up of the supervisor and at least one internal adjudicator.

Exams

Additional information

Guidance for the Project of 2nd Semester MSc in Energy Engineering

1. Demands to the project documentation

The project should fulfil the objectives of the 2nd semester project theme and should be documented to an acceptable technical and scientific level. The documentation shall include a scientific paper and a poster, which shall fulfil the standard for an international conference, e.g. the IEEE specifications. Moreover, the documentation shall include a project summary report - see below.

2. Project documentation

The following material must be uploaded to the system “Digital Exam” on the date given for the submission:

• Scientific paper, max. 10 pages, which presents the primary content and results of the project work
• Project summary report (see below)
• Project poster

3. Conference participation

The scientific paper must be presented, by one or more group members at a conference arranged locally by the Department of Energy. The conference will be run in the same manner as an international conference.

The project poster must also be presented at this conference. All group members must attend the conference and the poster session to be allowed to participate in the project examination.

4. Project summary report

The project summary report should elaborate the project details and conclusions. The summary report should include both the problem analysis, problem formulation, methodology and implementation as it would be in the case of a standard project report.

The maximum length of the summary report (report without appendices) is 50 pages. For more information see the description in Moodle.

5. Project exam

The project evaluation will take place at a date later than the conference.

At the project examination the project group shall present its project work.