Urban Energy Systems

Open Opportunities

Development of a supervised ml model for occupant detection in smart buildings Empa Urban Energy Systems A robust, grey-box approach for occupant detection based on indoor air quality data is developed, using previous development and Empa NEST's infrastructure. Architecture, Urban Environment and Building, Information, Computing and Communication Sciences Semester Project

Integration of small-scale data centers in multi-energy building systems Empa Urban Energy Systems Small-scale data centers will considerably grow due to an increase in edge computing and real-time data through IOT sensors. They can be operated flexibly to match intermittent renewable energy generation and building energy demand. As such this provides interesting opportunities for the operation of multi-energy systems at the building level. This master project covers the topic of small-scale edge data centers (below 250 kW) in the context of multi-energy systems. It aims to evaluate different design concepts for the efficient implementation of small-scale data centers in buildings using the Ehub tool. Engineering and Technology Master Thesis

Software Engineer for urban energy system modelling (20% or more, paid position) Empa Urban Energy Systems We are looking for a software engineer to develop and maintain an MILP based energy system optimization library in an interdisciplinary team. Engineering and Technology, Mathematics, Other Mathematical Sciences Student Assistant / HiWi

Flexibility assessment of small-scale data centers in multi-energy districts Empa Urban Energy Systems Small-scale data centers will considerably grow due to an increase in edge computing and real-time data through IOT sensors. They can be operated flexibly to match intermittent renewable energy generation and building energy demand. As such this provides interesting opportunities for the operation of multi-energy systems at the building and district level. Engineering and Technology Master Thesis, Semester Project

Intern: Modelling and parameterization of waste incineration plant including carbon capture and storage (paid position) Empa Urban Energy Systems We are looking for an intern to strengthen our energy hub modelling team on modelling and parameteriza-tion of waste incineration plants including carbon capture and storage. Architecture, Urban Environment and Building, Engineering and Technology Internship

Integrated Assessment of Buildings' Visual and Energy Performance with Innovative Translucent Bricks Empa Urban Energy Systems The Building Energy Materials and Components Lab at EMPA is developing a novel construction element based on glass bricks filled with aerogel. The translucent and thermal insulating characteristics of this novel brick allows architects to explore new configurations of opaque and transparent surfaces to improve the integrated visual and thermal performance of the indoor environment. The Urban Energy Systems Lab holds the expertise needed to quantify the impact of new designs/retrofits based on whole building performance simulations. It is still unclear what is the best trade-off between minimizing energy needs of buildings for space heating/cooling and lighting and maximizing thermal and visual comfort when translucent bricks are integrated in the building envelope. Building Science and Techniques, Interior and Environmental Design Semester Project

Digital twins of building energy systems Empa Urban Energy Systems The Urban Energy System Laboratory at Empa has openings for semester projects in real-time simulation of building energy systems using digital twins. Architecture, Building not elsewhere classified, Building Science and Techniques, Construction Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Semester Project