The Integration of Environmental Aspects into a Multidisciplinary Student Design Project: The Watermill of Rotselaar

Design projects allow acquiring hands-on experience in a multidisciplinary framework, while simultaneously enhancing non-technical engineering skills such as project planning and team work. At the Leuven Engineering School of Groep T, final year engineering students are challenged to investigate the restauration and improvement of a small hydropower installation in the village of Rotselaar. The project covers not only appropriate project management tasks and mechanical, thermal and electrical design steps, but also economic and environmental assessments. This way, the students are made aware of life cycle thinking and environmental aspects as integral parts of engineering.