In July, a two-week student mobility took place at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (HTW Berlin), Germany, as part of the project 619119-EPP-1-2020-1-NL-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP “Synergy of educational, scientific, managerial and industrial components for climate management and climate change prevention” (CLIMAN). The project was made possible by co-financing from Erasmus+ of the European Union.
Students of the Educational and Research Institute of Innovation, Environmental Management and Infrastructure majoring in Agronomy, Food Technology and Transport Technology represented the Western Ukrainian National University in this project, exploring advanced technologies in the field of green energy and sustainable development. For two weeks, the participants studied the electrolysis process to produce hydrogen and oxygen from water, and observed the release of electrical and thermal energy during the interaction of these molecules. These technologies have the potential to significantly reduce emissions of CO2 and other pollutants, making them important for modern energy systems.
The students focused on energy conservation and transportation, analyzing the use of biomass and coal in industrial processes and comparing their environmental impacts. They emphasized the benefits of environmentally friendly methods that have less impact on human health and the environment.
The students also studied the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations, which became the basis for further discussions and development of strategies in the field of sustainable development. These goals are indicators leading to a green, just and prosperous world.
During the final stage of the program, the participants visited the German company Boreal Light, which creates environmentally friendly water purification systems using solar energy. They learned about the technologies that are already being used in Ukraine, improving the quality of drinking water and reducing environmental impact. The capacity of Boreal Light plants varies from 2 to 50 thousand liters per hour. The company also actively helps third world countries by providing them with clean water.
Participants also visited the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) in Potsdam-Bornim, where they learned about innovative approaches to growing energy crops and using their waste to produce energy. These technologies help to reduce post-farm waste and create new energy sources, which is an important step towards environmentally friendly production and conservation of natural resources. The students conducted experiments with rapeseed, extracting oil and rapeseed chips, which were then used to generate energy. It was found that the energy efficiency of rapeseed chips is significantly higher than that of hardwood.
This mobility was not only an opportunity for professional growth for the participants, but also an important step in the development of partnerships between universities in Germany and Ukraine in the field of sustainable development and environmental protection. The students expressed their sincere gratitude to Professors Mirko Barz and Asnakech Lass-Seyyum for their extraordinary expertise and invaluable knowledge gained during their studies within the project. Their guidance and advice not only contributed to the personal and professional growth of the students, but also opened up new perspectives for further research in the field of green energy and environmental development.
The project is co-financed by the European Union. However, the expressed views and opinions belong solely to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the grantor can be held responsible for them.
