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Challenge Based Module

Teaching Unit (for year 1): Challenge based module


facetoface

Face-to-face time



studentworkload

Student workload

⁠
360
⁠
hours/year

ects

ECTS

⁠
12 or 11
⁠
⁠

For tracks in KTH and PoliTo: 12 ECTS: 6 ECTS in S2 and 6 ECTS in S3 For track in UPC : 11 ECT: 6 ECTS in S2 and 5 ECTS in S3

This challenge based module follows “Smart and Flexible Energy Management in Decentralized Smart Energy Systems” taken in a broader context, including energy networks, demand side management and optimization according to technical, market, regulation, human and societal constraints. Participants will integrate knowledge learnt in the whole programme, including the breadth and the elective courses. The module architecture of DENSYS is related to the challenge driven outcome:
Elective courses are selected according to the topic of this module
The challenge benefits from the expertise of two universities: Université de Lorraine for semester 2 and one of
the three universities for semester 3, during the specialization track.
The organization of the challenge based module is presented below (S: Semester).


End of S1

Presentation of the challenge based topics
Choice of the students
Team buidling

S2

Specific lectures related to the challenge topic
2 elective modules

S3

Specialization track
Specific lectures related to the challenge based topic
3 elective courses

End of S3

Online presentation and defence of the challenge

The students (by groups of 4 to 5) will look for solutions for an open ended problem and mobilize knowledge for a practical application: this may include technical solutions, systems, or services. A comprehensive systemic analysis that takes into account scientific, technological, economical, business and societal aspects is covered in this module.

Overall aims

Students are invited to work on a non-solved, real-life challenge, by applying theoretical knowledge and hands on approach
Students are expected to propose solutions, approaches to solve the problem. The result is a proposal of a non-existing product, service or solution to address the specific challenge at hand.
The solution must include the development of scientific, technological and non-technological approaches, combined with a systematic analysis which includes the societal, environmental, policy and business implications.
Development of soft skill: working in a team by leading and sharing responsibilities, reaching collaborative and collective decisions.

The challenge based topic will be proposed jointly by teachers of the 4 partner universities and researchers through a collaborative approach between the pedagogical teams, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and SSH (Social Sciences and Humanities) disciplines, industrial and/or civil society partners when relevant. The challenge will be supervised by an intersectorial, interdisciplinary, international team. The supervising team will be composed of one/two teachers from UL in technological disciplines, one teacher from UL in human and economics sciences, one/two teachers from one of the partner universities (KTH, UPC, PoliTo), one external adviser (coming from industry or civil society). Guest-scholars (e.g. in the framework of DENSYS scholar’s scholarships) may also be invited to propose challenge based topics and to participate in the supervision.

The case topics

The challenge based topic will be proposed jointly by teachers of the 4 partner universities and researchers through a collaborative approach between the pedagogical teams, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and SSH (Social Sciences and Humanities) disciplines, industrial and/or civil society partners when relevant. The challenge will be supervised by an intersectorial, interdisciplinary, international team. ​The supervising team will be composed of one/two teachers from UL in technological disciplines, one teacher from UL in human and economics sciences, one/two teachers from one of the partner universities (KTH, UPC, PoliTo), one external adviser (coming from industry or civil society). Guest-scholars (e.g. in the framework of DENSYS scholar’s scholarships) may also be invited to propose challenge based topics and to participate in the supervision.

Module structure

This course is given as a problem based learning which has practical interest and value. Learning and skill development activities are organized collectively by the supervising team. Non-conventional alternative solutions are encouraged: they have to be well argued and justified. The module is divided into two phases:
1) Semester 2: from the end of February to the end of June (in UL) Students groups present an interim project report (R1) and a pitch of the results of the phase 1 during the 1st joint summer session. The report as well as the pitch will be assessed by a cross-sector (academics, industry), multidisciplinary and international board (including the 4 consortium partners). Advices and potentially re-orientation of the project may be proposed at this stage. ​2) Semester 3: from the beginning of September to the end of February (in KTH, UPC or PoliTo) The final results of the project will give rise to a final project report (R2) and will be orally presented during an online meeting. Final assessment on the report and the oral presentation will be performed by a cross-sector (academics, industry), multidisciplinary and international board (including the 4 consortium partners).

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) of the course

After the course, the student should be able to:
ILO1: Design a system based on a given set of problem description.
ILO2: Perform analyses on decentralized (smart) energy systems which include different key technologies (renewable energy sources, energy storage devices, interconversion between energy carriers, final energy uses, energy management, and smart operation)
ILO3: Integrate, beyond purely economic point of view, the environmental, social, societal, territorial impact in relation to the project
ILO 4: Implement project management strategy, taking care of social responsibility and sustainability.
ILO5: Perform an overall economic analysis of the prospective product or service, in relation to the project object or service.
ILO6: Present the objectives of the work, the methodology and results in a synthetic and usable report and orally.

Learning materials and assistance

Learning material from the DENSYS programme.
Specific lectures, seminars, workshops organized in the framework of the challenge based module (by academic and non-academic partners).
Assistance as well as continuous assessment of the work is provided by the supervising team
Students are strongly encouraged to deeply learn on their own thanks to the provided materials during DENSYS courses and other recommended reliable opensource materials of their own selection.

Report

R1: The report must contain an executive summary, through analysis of the problem, well justifiable solution criteria. The scopes of specific ILOs 1 to 4 must be partially addressed. ​R2: The report must an Executive Summary, a complete description of the problem, the selection and the presentation of the solution(s), sensitivity and risk analysis. The scopes of specific ILOs 1 to 5 must be fully addressed, especially by benefiting from the courses followed during the specialization track.

Assessment and grading

The grading scale for the case based module is the following:

F

Fail No report or no presentation delivered

E

The minimum acceptable level has just been reached

C
Satisfactory

A
Excellent


ILO1: Design a system based on a given set of problem description.
E: Find a system design solution.
C: Same as C, and find multiple system design solutions.
A: Same as B, and exemplify the differences between the different design solutions.
ILO2: Perform analyses on decentralized (smart) energy systems which include different key technologies (renewable energy sources, energy storage devices, interconversion between energy carriers, final energy uses, energy management, and smart operation).
E: Perform analysis on one system
C: Same as C and perform analysis on multiple systems
A: Same as B and rank the solutions based on the key technological performance analyses
ILO3: Integrate, beyond purely economic point of view, the environmental, social, societal, territorial impact in relation to the project.
E: Perform analysis on one system
C: Same as C and perform analysis on multiple systems
A: Same as B and rank the solutions based on the key non techno/economic performance analyses
ILO 4: Implement project management strategy, taking care on social responsibility, sustainability.
E: Implement project management strategy on one system
C: Same as C and implement project management strategy on multiple systems
A: Same as B and rank the solutions based on the key social responsibility and sustainability performance analyses
ILO5: Perform an overall economic analysis of the prospective product or service, in relation to the project object or service ​[Note: This ILO is mandatory for students attending KTH or PoliTo during the 2nd year and facultative for students attending UPC].
E: Perform analysis on one system
C: Same as C and perform analysis on multiple systems
A: Same as B and rank the solutions based on the key economic performance analyses
ILO6: Present the objectives of the work, the methodology and results in a synthetic and usable report and orally.
E: Present the performed work in the report and orally
C: Same as C and with high synthetic and language quality
A: Same as B and with excellent synthetic and language quality

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