Duration
30h Th, 3d FW, 80h Proj.
Number of credits
Lecturer
Bertrand Cornélusse, Pierre Dewallef, Samuel Gendebien, Vincent Lemort, Grégoire Léonard
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
All year long, with partial in January
If a student fails an examination during the first term:
- They are permitted to resit the assessed subject during the second term (May-June);
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Students will work in groups of three and select a project from a pool of projects, each addressing a specific and relevant energy challenge.
The project pool covers a wide range of current topics, including:
- Cooling of data centers
- Evaporative cooling
- Green hydrogen production
- Distribution grids design
- Modeling thermodynamic cycles using newly developed simulation tools
- Assessing renewable energy and long-duration energy storage (LDES) integration
- ...
- Problem definition and objectives
- Literature review and state-of-the-art analysis
- Data analysis, modeling, simulation
- Results analysis and discussion
- Project planning using a Gantt chart
- Final report and oral presentation
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
The objectives of the "Energy challenge" are :
- Development of the ability to manage and to carry out a project in the field of energy
- Ability to estimate and critically assess the possible solutions in the field of energy on a real test case
- Ability to establish synergy between theoretical and practical aspects
- Applied sciences approach (report structure, criticism, search for information in the scientific literature)
- Critically analyse and evaluate experimental measurements, where appropriate to the topic selected by the student group.
- Management of a group project (planning, collaboration, ...)
- Application of previous courses and development of the knowledge in energy components and energy systems
- To raise up its own creativity by means of learning by group project
- The ability to give an oral presentation and to deliver a written report on an energy-related topic
- Develop knowledge about hot topics in the current energy context and increase awareness about the role of science & technology in society
- Integrate human, economic, social, environmental and legal aspects of an energy-related project
- Be aware of the challenges of sustainable development in the current energy context
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Basics and fundamentals of energy-field engineering are required, among which:
- Applied thermodynamics and introduction to thermal systems;
- Heat transfer;
- Incompressible fluids machines;
- Heat and cold production equipment;
- Measurements of themo-fluid quantities;
- Control of linear systems;
- Electromagnetic energy conversion.
- CHIM0695-2: Modelling of chemical & energy processes;
- MECA0450-3: Renewable Energy System Design;
- ELEC0447-1: Analysis of electric power and energy systems.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
During the first semester, training sessions are organized on a weekly basis (held on Friday PM). The aim of those sessions is to provide the needed theoretical and practical background to the students to carry out their project. The training sessions include lectures given by the supervising staff.
At the end of each semester, an oral presentation and a report will be delivered by students.
About once a month, plenary sessions will be organized for students to present the progress of their group work to the supervising staff and other groups. Oral feed-back will be given by the supervising staff.
Communication between students and supervising staff are encouraged. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions on the forum of the dedicated "Teams" channel. If needed, office hours will also be organized.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
Presentations by academic and industrial experts, workshops, group work, written and oral feedback on deliverables, face-to-face meetings with professors, plenary sessions, office hours.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Class materials are made available on the dedicated "Teams" channel.
Written work / report
Continuous assessment
Further information:
The grade will include evaluation of technical and soft skills.
Technical assessment at group level:
Regarding the technical assessment, the written reports delivered at the end of each semester part are evaluated and the achieved grade is common to the group. The different tasks are also specifically evaluated by the supervising staffs coordinating these tasks. The final oral presentation (in December and in June) is also assessed with a common group grade. Feedback will be provided to all reports and presentations.
Soft skills assessment at individual level:
Each student's involvement in the project will be evaluated, focusing on the student's efforts to improve his/her competences related to the good working of the group towards the achievement of group's objectives.
Soft skills assessment at group level:
Presentation skills (final presentation) will get a group grade. Project management will be assessed at group level based on the realisation and follow-up of a Gantt diagram and/or Flash reports.
Contributions to final grade:
- 40% for the work performed during the first semester.
- 60% for the work performed during the second semester.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The theoretical lectures will be taught in English.
The exact schedule and deadlines are communicated during the first lecture held on 18.09.2026.
Contacts
Bertrand CORNELUSSE
Smart-Microgrids, B28
Bertrand.Cornelusse@uliege.be
Pierre DEWALLEF
Laboratoire de Thermodynamique, B49
p.dewallef@uliege.be
Samuel GENDEBIEN
Laboratoire de Thermodynamique, B49
sgendebien@uliege.be
Vincent LEMORT
Laboratoire de Thermodynamique, B49
vincent.lemort@uliege.be
Grégoire LEONARD
Products, environment and processes, B37
G.Leonard@uliege.be
Motiar RAHAMAN
Sustainable Catalysis & Energy Conversion Lab, B6a
tel : +32 4366 2351
motiar.rahaman@uliege.be
Association of one or more MOOCs
There is no MOOC associated with this course.
Additional information:
Class materials are shared on-line with the students via a "Teams" channel. The link to the channel will be communicated during the first lecture.