Projects and Final Theses

Projects and Final Theses

Our programs align with current research initiatives, providing an ideal platform for both students and research assistants to engage in interesting projects. Our commitment is to share the insights gained from our projects through publication in esteemed academic journals and presentations at international conferences. We invite you to become an integral part of our dynamic research community and contribute to the future of automation technology. Join us to advance your career and be at the forefront of innovation!

Topics for Student and Research Assistant Work and/or Thesis Ideas

Explore current topics for student and research assistant work or thesis ideas in the teaching and research field of building automation at COLABO.

I am also open to discussing your own ideas. Of course, there are many other topics available within the scope of our research projects. For more information, please visit the Research (Link) section of our COLABO website.

I am available to provide more information during my consultation hours: Wednesdays at 1 p.m. (Prof. Dr. Jochen Müller), either in person or online.

Prof. Dr. Jochen Müller

General automation tasks in laboratory HW2-66 / HW2-119

• Renewal of the automation of the HVAC system

   - FBS programming

   - Visualization, dashboard

   - Design and implementation of a monitoring system for energy values

• Update of the test setups for digital communication (BACnet MSTP, KNX, Modbus)

   - Update & replacement of automation components

   - Design and implementation of monitoring in Enteliweb

•  Design and implementation of an IT infrastructure concept for GA applications

   - Analysis of IT container solutions

   - Standardization of GA-VL demonstrations

•  OPC UA client for pump monitoring

   - Analysis and implementation of an OPC UA client

   - Update of the OPC UA server at the pump demonstration stand

• Virtual reality environment for HW2-66

   - Design and implementation of a runtime environment for VR

   - Modeling and implementation of digital twins of laboratory assets

   - Integration of the digital twins into the VR/AR environment

Modular building automation

 - Installation of a modular system automation for an air-to-water heat pump. Replacement of the existing automation station with an MTP-compatible automation station, including creation of the necessary programming and implementation of commissioning.

- Location: Laboratory HW2.66 and heat pump in the atrium

- Cooperation with automation manufacturers

Machine Learning

• Optimization of a machine learning model for energy forecasting in the city of Cologne (Stadt Köln)

   - Recording and processing of energy data

   - Training ML model

• Location: Laboratory HW2.66 and Building Management Cologne

• Evaluation of a reinforcement learning agent as a replacement for PI/PID controllers, for a

   - Position control of a ball on a seesaw

   - Position control of a container

   - Quality evaluation, PID optimization, training RL agent

• Location: Laboratory HW2.66

Development of Digital Twins

• Evaluation of typical building systems in the municipal sector

• Compilation of a library of digital twins focusing on:

- Quality assurance: Representation of building systems through simulations (Modellica)

- Process management: Representation of systems via MTP files –

• Location: Laboratory HW2.66

Building Performance

- Development of a library of parameters for the performance evaluation of technical building systems

- Development & evaluation of graphical representations for the visualization of building performance information

- Prototype implementation for laboratory facilities

- Prototypical implementation for an office building of the automation manufacturer Phoenix Contact

- Location: Laboratory HW2.66 & Phoenix Contact

Programming, e.g. Industry4.0 / digital twins

- Programming of digital twins based on the I4.0 administration shell

- Working in Python, Java etc.