Griffin Kriebel

My name is Griffin Kriebel, I'm a fourth year Biological Systems Engineering student at UC Davis with a passion for creating sustainable design solutions through creative engineering problem solving.

My experience includes process automation, power generation systems, and sustainable agricultural technology. Whether it's designing a renewable energy grid or optimizing enrgy efficiney for indoor vertical farms, I'm driven by the potential to engineer a more sustainable future for all.

Through my experience from internships, research, and projects, I have developed an expertise in critical engineering skills like CAD, data analytics, professional communication, and computer programming.

Projects

Renewable Grid Design
UC Davis Comprehensive Renewable Grid Design
March 2025 - June 2025
Collaborated to develop a cost-optimized hybrid renewable energy system using NREL's System Advisor Model (SAM) to reduce grid dependency by 70% and meet peak annual energy demands. Processed hourly energy data in Excel to identify optimal wind-to-solar ratio, thus reducing LCOE to 7.24¢/kWh, capital costs to $210 million, and operating costs to $4.8 million.
NREL SAM Microsoft Excel Data Analysis Renewable Energy Grid Design
Project Files & Documentation:
Wind Turbine Prototype
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine
Dec 2024 - Present
Designed and manufactured a 3D-printed vertical axis wind turbine prototype using Fusion 360. Collected and analyzed performance metrics including wing swept area, rated power, and power curve to optimize energy output and efficiency. Potential design improvemnts include greater wing swept area, using a generator with specs to match the rated power, and adding a planetary gearbox to increasing shaft RPM.
Fusion 360 3D Printing Wind Energy Performance Analysis CAD Design
Project Files & Documentation:
E-bike Conversion
Bike to E-bike Conversion
Sep 2024 - Jan 2025
Designed and manufactured custom motor and sprocket mounts for electric bike conversion using iterative engineering processes. Integrated a 36V 350W electric motor system with mechanical drivetrain components for optimal performance. Selected a 36V 10Ah battery based on power requirements and calculated a 15-mile range with top speeds of 20 mph.
3D Printing CAD Design Electric Motors Mechanical Integration Testing
Project Files & Documentation:
Solar Dehydrator System
Solar Dehydrator
Sep 2024 - Dec 2024
Collaborated on a solar-powered food dehydration system. Analyzed data on moisture removal of fruits and presented findings on efficiency of heat generation and mositure removal in a final report using sustainable design principles. Natural convection used to cycle moist air out of the top and take in fresh dry air from the bottom of the dehydrator creating a fruit drying efficiney of 41%.
Solar Energy Data Analysis Sustainable Design Food Processing Technical Reporting
VHS to Digital Conversion
VHS to Digital Camcorder Conversion
Personal Project
Designed a custom 12V 2600mAh battery pack and integrated a mini-DVR for analog-to-digital video conversion. Modified the 10-pin JVC camera connector to accommodate DVR input and power distribution. Calculated battery life provides approximately 6 hours of continuous operation.
Circuit Modification Power Supply Design Video Signal Processing Cable Engineering Digital Conversion
Project Files & Documentation:
MATLAB GUI Application
MATLAB Blackjack App
Nov 2023 - Dec 2023
Developed an interactive blackjack game using MATLAB's GUI framework. Met all functionality goals and documented coding process in GitHub with comprehensive version control.
MATLAB GUI Development Programming GitHub Version Control
Project Files & Documentation:
Combat Robot Design
VEX Battlebot
Aug 2021 - May 2022
Co-designed and programmed a combat robot for regional competition using Fusion 360 CAD software and C++ programming. Implemented VEX Cortex microcontroller for system controls and autonomous operation. Final design was fabricated using plasma cut aluminum components with a steel frame for structural integrity.
Fusion 360 C++ VEX Cortex Plasma Cutting Aluminum Fabrication

Skills & Coursework

Technical Software

  • Fusion 360
  • MATLAB
  • AutoCAD
  • SolidWorks
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Python

Data & Analysis

  • Data Analytics
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Technical Writing
  • Survey Tools
  • Performance Metrics
  • Research Methods

Professional Skills

  • Team Collaboration
  • Creative Problem Solving
  • Adaptable Communication
  • Project Management
  • Organization
  • Time Management

Relevant Coursework

  • Sustainable Power Generation
  • Engineering Systems Control
  • Digital and Analog Circuits
  • Efficiency Optimization
  • Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
  • Electromechanical Automation

Experience

Undergraduate Researcher
Sep 2025 - June 2026
Agnetix Liquid Cooled LED Heat Recycler for Indoor Vertical Farms, Davis, CA
• UC Davis senior design project partnered with Agnetix using liquid cooling and heat transfer of LEDs to increaseenergy efficiency and crop productivity for indoor vertical farms
• Designed and assembled an automated root-zone heater kept between 25-30℃ using recycled LED heat controlled by Prosense RTDs and SOLO temperature control panels
• After root-zone heating, any excess heat is removed from the system using two 900W heat exchangers in series designed for peak thermal loads
• Designed and created an automatic pumped flood-and-drain hydroponic system using an Arduino to control a relay system that actuates flood and drain valves on indiviual root beds
Agricultural Robotics Intern
June 2024 - July 2024
Plant Sciences Inc., Manteca, CA
• Collected field data to evaluate robotic performance and computer vision accuracy in strawberry flower elimination
• Proposed design modifications to improve mechanical reliability and operational efficiency
• Managed GPS data for tractor-mounted robot navigation
• Digitized field maps using Microsoft Excel for improved logistics
Orchard Maintenance Intern
June 2023 - Sep 2023
Weaver's Orchard, Morgantown, PA
• Designed and implemented irrigation systems for fruit and vegetable fields
• Operated and maintained agricultural machinery across a 125-acre orchard
• Performed crop care tasks including pruning, thinning, and harvesting
• Streamlined operations within demanding agricultural timelines
Line Cook
Apr 2021 - Dec 2022
Austin's Restaurant and Bar, West Lawn, PA
• Managed kitchen operations in a fast-paced team setting while maintaining academic performance
• Promoted within two weeks for reliability, adaptability, and initiative
• Developed strong time management and multitasking skills under pressure
• Demonstrated commitment to quality and teamwork in demanding environment

Get In Touch

I'm always interested in discussing new opportunities, collaborating on projects, or simply connecting with fellow engineers and sustainability enthusiasts.