About Renewable Energy Design

Training future engineers in renewable energy is vital for sustainable development, yet many students struggle with engineering design due to stress and fear of failure. Working with the Institute for Future Intelligence, we integrate Aladdin - a simulation-based learning environment where students tackle energy efficiency challenges by designing green buildings, solar farms, and power stations. Aladdin provides students with 3D modeling tools for design and modification, including features like walls, windows, roofs, solar panels, and trees. It also offers simulation capabilities for understanding solar environments and quantitative analysis tools for evaluating energy performance, enabling students to analyze and optimize their designs. Our research examines how students regulate their learning processes in engineering design using self-regulated learning (SRL) theory. Through learning analytics, multimodal data collection, and artificial intelligence, we analyze students’ cognitive strategies, motivational patterns, metacognitive processes, and emotional responses during STEM project-based activities. This innovative methodology aims to advance our understanding of effective learning strategies in renewable energy engineering education and inform better instructional support.