Project 7: Scenarios for a net zero TU campus
About this course
- Lecturers: Azahara Luna Triguero, Robert van Dongen
- Academic level:
- Number of students:
- Disciplines: EE
- Status:
- Topic:
Setup
The course is a multidisciplinary challenge focused on transitioning the Eindhoven University of Technology campus into a net-zero, fully sustainable environment by 2030. Treating the campus as a living laboratory, students are tasked with formulating an innovative idea that addresses the energy transition through technological systems, the built environment, and human behaviour. The project involves gathering and analysing data, exploring conceptual solutions creatively, and generating new scientific knowledge by building and testing physical prototypes or models. Ultimately, the aim is to present a coherent, detailed package of interventions to the university's Real Estate department.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO’s)
By the end of the course, students are expected to:
- Show critical thinking, creative and innovative thinking, and systems thinking.
- Understand both the physical and human or behavioural systems necessary to make an energy transition successful.
- Propose a coherent package of concrete interventions in the built environment, energy systems (production, transport, storage, conversion, use, and reduction), and human behaviour.
- Prototype and test elements of the proposed interventions.
- Show responsible behaviour in every stage of the project in view of society and the environment, demonstrating insight into sustainable resource use, waste management, and sustainable energy.
Learning activities
Students engage in guided project work sessions twice a week on Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings. The work involves gathering and analysing data, conceptualising solutions, and detailing functional specifications. Teams build and test prototypes or models. The schedule includes pitching first ideas in week 2, a dedicated work session with external experts from TU/e Real Estate and WUR in week 4, and final presentations in week 8. Independent study of scientific literature and collaborative group work outside of scheduled sessions are also required
Assessment
The final grade is split evenly between individual and group performance
Individual Evaluation (50%)
- Involvement during group meetings
- Capacity to co-operate
- The quality of submitted self-study assignments (SSA’s)
- Individual contribution to the group work
Group Assessment (50%)
- Intermediate Presentation (10%)
- Final Presentation & Video (15%)
- Group report (25%)
Learning environment
The course is coordinated by responsible lecturers Azahara Luna Triguero and Robert van Dongen, supported by teaching assistants. Ten student groups are distributed across rooms in the Traverse and Matrix for their regular meetings.
The course maintains strict guidelines regarding artificial intelligence and plagiarism. Generative AI tools are permitted for brainstorming, summarising, translating, and language correction, provided a complete statement of use is included. Generating core assignment content or research data using AI is strictly prohibited and constitutes fraud.
More information
For more information, contact the responsible Lecturer at a.luna.triguero@tue.nl and r.p.v.dongen@tue.nl
