About the project
Generating energy where it is needed - that is the guiding principle behind eTrail-Ing. The master's project is developing a mobile energy trailer that uses photovoltaics, two battery storage modules and a hydrogen fuel cell to provide a self-sufficient and low-emission power supply for several days, completely independent of the public power grid.
The heart of the trailer is the integrated cooling and heating unit, which reliably keeps food, medical products or laboratory materials at the right temperature, regardless of whether they need to be cooled or heated. This makes the trailer particularly suitable for use at events, in the food and logistics industry and for medical or scientific applications.
The system also provides additional electrical energy via 230 V sockets and USB ports. This means that traditional consumers such as lights, tools or workstations can also be operated - a flexible addition that makes the trailer even more versatile, for example in research missions or in emergency care after crises.
Behind the seemingly simple principle lies a complex technical system that is planned, implemented and continuously developed by students. The team works on challenges such as the dimensioning of the subsystems, charging and discharging strategies, safety and earthing concepts, the integration of the fuel cell as well as the mechanical design and interior fittings.
In addition to technical development, the focus is also on sustainability, communication and cooperation with industrial partners. The result is not only a functional product, but also a platform for knowledge transfer and applied engineering training. This is the most important goal of the project, the training of young engineers.
Characteristics of the project
| Self-sufficient operation: | up to 7 days |
| Fuel cell: | 2500 W |
| Photovoltaic output: | 3915 W (STC*) |
| Cooling/heating volume: | 6,76 m³ |
| Temperature range of the cold room: | 4 °C to 20 °C |
| Connections: |
230 V sockets, USB charging options |
* STC stands for Standard Test Conditions and describes the peak power of photovoltaic modules measured under standard conditions (1000 W/m² irradiation, 25 °C module temperature, AM** 1.5).
** AM stands for Air Mass and describes the path of sunlight through the atmosphere. AM 1.5 corresponds to typical irradiation conditions on the earth's surface.
Status of the project
The energy trailer is currently in an assembly and test phase. The electrical components, including the system units, the battery storage unit and the fuel cell, are already being tested and prepared for later installation. At the same time, the mechanical frame, which forms the basis for the entire technical integration, is being created.
The safety analysis has been completed. Based on this analysis, work is now underway to implement the identified safety measures. One focus is on the safe handling of hydrogen and electrical components, including the use of a PLC system to monitor and control critical processes.
The safety standards of the system are significantly higher than those of conventional building systems. This is due, among other things, to the stricter regulations in the transport sector, which must be complied with when building a mobile system.
The system is designed for self-sufficient operation for up to seven days. However, this operating time can be extended as required by replacing the hydrogen cylinders in the field. This means that the energy trailer can be used indefinitely, a decisive advantage, especially for supplying power in crisis areas.
Another plus point is that the cooling requirements and solar radiation complement each other in terms of timing. On hot summer days, the photovoltaic modules supply a particularly large amount of energy that can be used directly for cooling. At night or when solar radiation is low, battery storage and fuel cells ensure a stable supply.
Thanks to
The project is fully funded by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. The entire team would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support, which makes the implementation of the project possible in the first place.
