Solar Hydrogen Energy Corporation (SHEC) Labs

Super Structure Design of a Solar Collection Array for Hydrogen Production

The Company

Saskatoon-based SHEC (Solar Hydrogen Energy Corporation) has been a world leader in clean renewable hydrogen research, and is about to become one of the world leaders in hydrogen production with its innovative use of the sun’s energy to create hydrogen from landfill gas. SHEC has constructed and demonstrated a system to produce hydrogen using methane that is powered primarily by sunlight-focusing mirrors. The system comprises a solar mirror array, an advanced solar concentrator, a shutter system to control the amount of radiant energy entering the reactor, and two thermo-catalytic reactors that will convert methane, carbon dioxide and water into hydrogen. The New Energy Congress has ranked this technology as one of the top best renewable energy technologies in the world. More information on SHEC can be found online at www.shec-labs.com.

The Project

Having demonstrated its technology SHEC is now looking to increase its efficiency and thereby lower collection cost. One method by which they intend to do this is through the design of a next generation super structure. The design team will be tasked with the analysis and modelling of the existing super structure, conceptualizing of new more efficiency super structure designs, modelling those designs, and building and analyzing a scaled down proof-of-concept for one of the resultant super structures.

Student Requirements

This is a challenging project which will give an exceptional design team the chance to see immediate, real world application of their design work. A strong mechanical engineering background is desirable since the project will be mechanical intensive. Additionally as the client is located in Saskatchewan the design team must be comfortable with remote client interaction and be very self-driven. The ideal design team member will not only have the technical skills, but also the passion and drive to assist in ushering in the hydrogen economy through clean solar technologies.