ESA Graduate Trainee in Regenerative Fuel Cell System Modelling for Lunar Night Survival

Our team and mission

ESA Graduate Trainee in the Energy Storage Section, Power Systems, EMC & Space Environment Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering & Quality.

The Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research (R&D) in the field of energy storage for space applications, typically primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells and super capacitors.

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

Please use gender-neutral language (i.e. You) to address EGT candidates and avoid acronyms, in particular those linked to ESA. The description of the activities should be clear, concise and attractive. Learning objectives related to the traineeship should be indicated.

Fuel cells have been of increased interest in recent time due to very promising applications in space e.g. for lunar night survival energy storage systems. One of the main differences in respect to terrestrial applications is that instead of ambient air pure O2 will be used and that O2 needs to be stored similarly to H2. The most relevant technologies for this traineeship are Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) and High Temperature PEM (HT-PEM). The successful candidate will develop and validate Regenerative Fuel Cell System models based on previous developments using EcosimPro. There will also be the possibility to test different fuel cell stacks and possibly some balance of plant components in our fuel cell test rig for developing the models.

Reporting to the Head of Section and within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Performing a literature review related to the ESA’s and other studies performed in the field of Regenerative Fuel Cell Systems.
• Developing and validating Regenerative Fuel Cell System models in EcosimPro.
• Performing the modelling of the Regenerative Fuel Cell System using EcosimPro.
• Comparing the models with the ones obtained in other ESA’s studies.
• Using the models for de-risking initial system design of the Regenerative Fuel Cell System.
• Testing of fuel cell stacks and Regenerative Fuel Cell System components using the fuel cell test rig.
• Consolidation of the fuel cell stack model using the obtained tests results.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’ s degree in physics, electrochemistry, engineering or in another relevant discipline.

Additional requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process. 

You should also have:

• The candidate shall have a demonstrated knowledge of fuel cell/electrolyser technologies along with relevant hands-on experience in fuel cell/electrolyser testing, data processing and analysis. 
• Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) and/or High Temperature PEM (HT-PEM) knowledge is required.
• The candidate shall also have experience in modeling and simulating complex systems, preferentially fuel cell/electrolyser systems.
• Knowledge and experience with regenerative fuel cell systems would be an asset. Some experience of the risks in performing fuel cell testing especially in the context of using H2 and pure O2 instead of air would also be an asset.
• Experience with simulation software such as EcosimPro is an asset.