The Institute of Solar Research of the DLR conducts research into the technical and economic optimization of solar thermal energy generation at four different locations in Germany and southern Spain. The research and development activities are always application-oriented and close to industry. Our international team consists of highly qualified specialists and engineers who love and enjoy their work.
Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) and help shape the future through research and innovation! We offer an exciting and inspiring working environment driven by the expertise and curiosity of our 11,000 employees from 100 nations and our unique infrastructure. Together, we develop sustainable technologies and thus contribute to finding solutions to global challenges. Would you like to join us in addressing this major future challenge? Then this is your place!
Job Description
Req ID: 763
Place of work: Jülich, Köln
Starting date: 01.06.2025
Career level: Student research project and final thesis
Type of employment: Part time
Duration of contract: 6 Monate
Remuneration: Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector - Federal Government (TVöD-Bund)
What you can expect
The Chair of Solar Components plays a pivotal role in advancing a climate-neutral and environmentally friendly energy supply driven by solar energy. At our institute, researchers are innovating cutting-edge solar thermal tower power plants to harness and optimize solar energy for sustainable power generation.
In these systems, sunlight is concentrated by numerous dual-axis tracking mirrors (heliostats) onto a receiver mounted atop a tower. The receiver absorbs the concentrated solar radiation, transferring the energy to a heat transfer medium. This medium stores the energy, making it available for conversion into electricity through a conventional steam cycle. A prominent example of such a plant is the solar tower facility in Jülich, used for research purposes. At this facility, a porous ceramic receiver draws in and heats ambient air, which subsequently transfers its heat to a steam cycle or a heat storage system.
To accelerate the adoption of solar tower power plants, enhancing their efficiency while ensuring safe and reliable operation is essential. One of the most critical challenges is managing disturbances caused by passing clouds, which intermittently shade portions of the heliostat field. Such cloud passages reduce the irradiated power on the receiver, lowering the heat transfer medium’s outlet temperature. A drop in temperature negatively impacts the plant’s efficiency and lifespan, making it crucial to mitigate this effect.
Two control variables can influence temperature management:
Existing studies typically address these variables independently, but this approach falls short of achieving optimal temperature control while adhering to temperature constraints. To overcome this limitation, a model-predictive control system integrating both variables was developed in previous research.
Your Tasks
As part of this role, you will experimentally validate the newly developed model-predictive control system at the research power plant in Jülich. Your work will include:
Throughout your work, you will maintain close collaboration with your supervisor, who will provide guidance and support on technical decisions and questions.
Your Profile
We offer
DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.
We look forward to getting to know you!
If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 763) please contact:
David Zanger
Tel.: +49 2203 601 4328
Peter Schwarzbözl
Tel.: +49 2203 601 2967
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