Sustainable Heating and Cooling for Climate-Neutral Buildings

Research topic/area

Mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics and related programs of study

Type of thesis

Bachelor / Master

Start time

-

Application deadline

31.12.2026

Duration of the thesis

6 months

Description

We offer a Master’s thesis opportunity at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in the field of sustainable heating and cooling for climate-neutral buildings. Heating and cooling account for nearly 50% of global energy demand, making them a critical sector for reducing CO₂ emissions. Future building energy systems will increasingly rely on renewable electricity, advanced heat pumps, and innovative thermal technologies. In this context, this thesis focuses on next-generation solutions, including elastocaloric heat pumps (EHPs), which are solid-state and refrigerant-free, as well as shallow geothermal energy (SGE) as a stable and sustainable heat source and sink. The work will explore how these technologies can be integrated with photovoltaic (PV/PVT) systems to enable highly efficient and low-carbon building energy systems.

This thesis is primarily a numerical modelling and simulation-based project. The main objective is to develop, implement, and extend a validated building energy system modelling framework. You will integrate elastocaloric heat pump models and shallow geothermal system representations into the existing simulation environment and perform system-level analyses. The work includes running comparative simulations of different system configurations, evaluating key performance indicators such as CO₂ emissions and renewable energy share, and conducting sensitivity analyses to assess the influence of parameters such as heat pump efficiency (COP) and ground temperature. The ultimate goal is to identify performance targets and application scenarios in which these next-generation technologies offer clear advantages over state-of-the-art solutions.

This thesis offers the opportunity to work on a highly relevant research topic at the forefront of sustainable energy systems. You will gain hands-on experience in advanced thermodynamic modelling and system simulation, contribute to research with potential for publication, and work in an interdisciplinary and international research environment. The project is closely connected to future research proposals, providing insights into cutting-edge developments and potential continuation opportunities.

Requirement

Requirements for students

• We are looking for a highly motivated student with a background in mechanical engineering, energy engineering, physics, or a related field. A solid understanding of thermodynamics and heat pump systems is expected, along with experience in numerical tools such as MATLAB, Python, or Modelica. A strong interest in modelling, simulation, and data analysis is essential, as the project is fully computational and does not involve experimental work. The ability to work independently in a structured manner is highly valued.

Faculty departments

• Engineering sciences
  Civil engineering
  Electrical engineering & information technologies
  Mechanical engineering
  Mechanical Engineering
  Energy Engineering and Management
  Electrical Engineering and Information Technology

Supervision

Title, first name, last name

Jingyuan Xu

Organizational unit

Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT)

Email address

jingyuan.xu@kit.edu

Link to personal homepage/personal page

Website

Application via email

Application documents

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcript

E-Mail Address for application
Senden Sie die oben genannten Bewerbungsunterlagen bitte per Mail an jingyuan.xu@kit.edu


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