Thesis Proposal Mechanical Engineer in Colombia Medellín – Free Word Template Download with AI
The city of Medellín, Colombia, faces mounting challenges in urban energy sustainability as its population grows beyond 2.5 million residents within the Aburrá Valley metropolitan area. With rising electricity costs and increasing demand on the national grid, residential water heating consumes approximately 30% of household energy consumption in Colombia—placing significant strain on both household budgets and environmental resources (Ministry of Mines and Energy, 2022). As a future Mechanical Engineer committed to advancing sustainable infrastructure in Colombia Medellín, this thesis proposes an innovative solution: the design, simulation, and community-based implementation of solar-powered water heating systems tailored for Medellín's unique climate, topography, and socioeconomic context.
Current residential water heating in Medellín relies heavily on electric resistance heaters (85% of households), contributing to 47% of peak electricity demand during morning hours (Ecopetrol, 2023). This dependence exacerbates energy poverty in low-income neighborhoods like Comuna 13 and El Poblado, where monthly utility bills consume up to 25% of household income. Moreover, Medellín's high-altitude tropical climate (average elevation: 1,500 meters) with abundant solar radiation (5.8 kWh/m²/day) remains underutilized for decentralized energy solutions. Current solar technologies deployed in Colombia are often imported, expensive, and unsuited to local building typologies—creating a critical gap this research aims to address.
- To design a low-cost photovoltaic-thermal hybrid water heating system optimized for Medellín's 15–20°C daily temperature variation and 70% annual humidity, using locally available materials.
- To conduct thermal performance simulations of the proposed system under Medellín's specific solar irradiance patterns (using NASA POWER data) and building orientation constraints in urban neighborhoods.
- To develop a community implementation framework addressing socioeconomic barriers for 50 low-income households in Medellín’s Comuna 8, collaborating with local NGOs like Fundación Social de la Ciudad.
- To quantify environmental and economic impacts, targeting 50% reduction in household water heating costs and a 1.2-ton CO₂e/year per system (equivalent to planting 40 trees annually).
Existing studies on solar water heating in Latin America focus primarily on coastal regions (e.g., Peru, Ecuador) with different climatic conditions. A 2021 study by the Universidad Nacional de Colombia noted that 78% of solar projects failed due to inadequate adaptation to local microclimates and high upfront costs—factors directly relevant to Medellín’s valley geography. Meanwhile, mechanical engineering research at the Universidad EAFIT has developed cost-effective heat exchangers for tropical climates (García & López, 2022), but these lack integration with urban housing typologies in Colombia Medellín. This thesis bridges this gap by combining thermodynamic modeling with participatory community design—a methodology aligned with Medellín’s renowned "Social Urbanism" policy framework.
The research employs a three-phase mixed-methods approach:
- Phase 1: System Design & Simulation (Months 1–4): Utilizing Autodesk Fusion 360 and TRNSYS software, we will model system efficiency under Medellín-specific conditions. Key variables include panel tilt angles for the Aburrá Valley’s slope (25° average), humidity effects on collector efficiency, and compatibility with common Colombian pipe materials (e.g., CPVC). A prototype will be built at the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana’s mechanical lab.
- Phase 2: Community Co-Creation (Months 5–8): Working with Medellín’s Secretaría de Desarrollo Urbano, we will conduct workshops in Comuna 8 to adapt designs to local construction practices. This includes modifying storage tank sizes for compact homes and incorporating waste-to-energy features using organic kitchen waste for supplementary heating.
- Phase 3: Field Deployment & Impact Assessment (Months 9–12): Installation at 50 households with IoT sensors monitoring energy use, water temperature, and cost savings. Data will be compared against control groups via regression analysis to isolate system impact (using SPSS software).
This Thesis Proposal will deliver:
- A scalable technical blueprint for solar water heaters using recycled materials (e.g., repurposed car radiators as heat exchangers), reducing costs by 35% versus imported systems.
- A validated energy model applicable to other Colombian cities with similar climates (Bogotá, Cali, Manizales).
- Policy recommendations for Medellín’s municipal government on integrating decentralized solar systems into its "Medellín 2050" climate action plan.
As a future Mechanical Engineer shaping Colombia’s energy transition, this work directly supports Sustainable Development Goals 7 (Affordable Clean Energy) and 11 (Sustainable Cities). Crucially, it empowers residents of Medellín—not just engineers—to become active participants in their city’s sustainability. The proposed system could displace 500 MWh/year of grid electricity citywide, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 380 tons annually.
| Phase | Duration | Key Deliverables |
|---|---|---|
| Literature Review & Design | Months 1–4 | Technical specifications, simulation models, prototype blueprint |
| Community Engagement & Testing | Months 5–8 | User-adapted design, pilot installation plan |
| Field Deployment & Analysis | Months 9–12⬇️ Download as DOCX Edit online as DOCX
Create your own Word template with our GoGPT AI prompt: GoGPT |
