International Center

 

Participation of ECM students in the „renewable energy challenge“ (reech) in Karlsruhe

The topic of this year´s renewable energy challenge was the development of innovative ideas in the field of electricity production through micro wind turbines with a diameter of a maximum of 1,4 metres. The competition consisted of  two parts / phases: the concept phase and the realization phase. Both phases were awarded individually. The aim consisted in working on as many innovative ideas in the first phase – and in realizing them in the second phase.

 

Ecological friendly production of the rotor wings

 

For the first phase of the competition, the ECM students had worked on two concepts. The first concept deals with an innovative production of rotor blades, made from used plastic bottles (polyethylene terephthalate = PET) – focusing on the recycling and the ecological friendly production. The concept of the second group dealt with the optimization of a vertical muller. A conventional savonius rotor was equipped with a wind control system. This system centers the wind onto the active side and covers the side of the return flow.

Award ceremony in Karlsruhe

The student group, along with the three professors Prof. Richard Zahoransky, Prof. Wolfgang Geyl and Prof. Anke Weidlich, participated in the final award ceremony in Karlsruhe at the KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology). Both concepts of Hochschule Offenburg strongly focused on the realization and cost-effectiveness regarding the implementation of the micro wind turbines. The concepts were not awarded a prize, however, both groups were bestowed with a sponsorship of 250,00 EUR to actually build the micro wind turbines. The implementation will be carried out in the summer semester by students of the bachelor degree program energy system techniques, guided by Prof. Dr. Anke Weidlich.

Short explanation about reech:
reech e.V. is an association of students of Karlsruhe University. In cooperation with KIT (Karlsruhe Institute for Technology) and partners from the industry, reech organized this year for the second time already this energy challenge, offered nationally, awarding innovative ideas in the area of renewable energies.