M.Sc. Johannes Stoß
M.Sc. Nikolas Menger

available

Background

The energy transition is one of the defining challenges of our time. At the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) we are not just observing this transformation, we are helping to build the infrastructure that will enable it.

The High-Power Grid Lab is being developed as one of the world’s most powerful testbeds for modern power systems. Its goal is to recreate complex grid conditions and test large-scale generation units and converter-based systems before they are deployed in the field. By identifying instabilities, interaction effects and failure scenarios in a controlled laboratory environment, we help ensure the reliability, stability, and safety of the power grids of tomorrow.

The heart of this facility is a cutting-edge SiC-based Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) for medium-voltage applications, developed here at ETI. We are looking for bright and driven minds who want to become part of the larger mission by building the technological foundation for the next generation of sustainable power grids.

MMC cells, assemble!

Your challenge is to develop the mechanical backbone of the MMC, transforming individual high-power cells into a robust and modular converter system.

Your work begins with the design of mechanically identical transport units, each accommodating four MMC cells. You will further develop the mechanical architecture of the entire MMC, addressing challenges such as structural stability, electrical insulation, cooling interfaces, transportation and assembly. While the electrical architecture is already defined, its mechanical realization is in your hands.

And because even the greatest designs must prove themselves beyond the drawing board, you will bring your creation to life by assembling a complete transport unit with four MMC cells.