MAP student participates in ABBY-NET summer school
I was fortunate to participate in the ABBY-NET Summer School on ‘Natural Resource Management and Energy Systems Under Changing Environmental Conditions’ from 10 to 17 August 2024 in Berchtesgaden and Munich. The aim of the school was to bring young scientists and researchers from Bavaria (Germany) and Alberta (Canada) together to collaborate on interdisciplinary projects on the theme of energy transition.
Most of the lectures took place at the TUM Research Station Friedrich N. Schwarz in Berchtesgaden, nestled in the middle of breathtaking Alps. The lectures were drawn from diverse disciplines: Engineering, Computer Science, Natural Science and Social Science. Particularly interesting for me was the lecture and workshop on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of energy systems, where we compared the ecological impact of driving a Diesel car as compared to an electric car. I was also very moved by the story of Elektrizitätswerke Schönau (delivered by Dr. Eva Stegen). The energy supply company was formed in the backdrop of anti-nuclear movement by the locals of a small town in the Black Forest in the 1990s, after the local monopolist refused to give up nuclear energy. It was inspiring to see the success of a grassroots citizens’ movement in context of energy transition!
Outside of the lectures, we also had two exciting excursions to a geothermal borehole in Tüssling and a biomass heating plant in Berchtesgaden. Finally, we worked together in cross-disciplinary teams to develop our own research ideas. My team came up with a proposal of creating a comprehensive ‘Renewable Energy Atlas of Bavaria’ by overlaying technical parameters of renewable energy with societal aspects, such as public support that could help guide policymakers and investors alike.
I am thankful to the Chair of Energy Process Engineering at FAU for this wonderful opportunity which was filled with so much fun, learning and collaboration!
ABBY-NET is an association of researchers from Alberta, Canada and Bavaria, Germany who collaborate on interdisciplinary research and training for an improved understanding of the complex interactions in E³-Systems (Environment, Engineering and Socio-Economics) to facilitate energy systems’ transitions. From Bavaria, FAU is a member of ABBY-NET (along with LMU Munich and TU Munich), while partner universities from Alberta include University of Alberta and University of Calgary.
By MAP student Akshat Sharma (matriculation group 2021)