On December 5, 2022, our online seminar on “Studying in Germany – Introduction” took place for high school students from our Uzbek and Kazakh solar schools. Almost 50 interested students from the 10th and 11th grades took part in the seminar. The seminar focused in particular on the following topics:

1. How is studying in German universities structured?
2. What requirements must be met in order to study in Germany?
3. What is the application process like for foreign students?
4. How do you get a visa for study purposes in Central Asia?
5. Everyday life in Germany: practical tips

After a comprehensive presentation of these questions by experts from Ideas into energy gGmbH and eclareon GmbH, which was met with great interest by the participants, a lively discussion took place on topics such as career prospects in the field of renewable energies and sustainable energy supply after completing a degree in relevant courses. The seminar was followed by a quiz with questions on the content of the seminar for all participating students.

On December 19, 2022, our 2nd online seminar on “Studying in Germany – Studienkolleg, scholarships, training” took place for high school students from our Uzbek and Kazakh solar schools. Almost 50 interested students from the 10th and 11th grades took part in the seminar. Following the introduction to the topic of “Studying in Germany” on December 5, 2022, certain aspects were discussed in greater depth during this seminar…

1. Which scholarships are available for studying in Germany?
2. What requirements must be met in order to receive a scholarship in Germany?
3. What is a “Studienkolleg”?
4. Further opportunities for students from PASCH schools: Passing the entrance exam on the spot
5. How is the “Studienbrücke” program structured and what prospects does it offer?
6. What is the difference between studying and training?

After a comprehensive discussion of the content aspects by experts from ideas into energy gGmbH and eclareon GmbH, the participants had the opportunity to ask the speakers questions. The Q&A session focused primarily on practical questions about applying to study at German universities and career prospects in Germany after successfully completing a degree. After the seminar, a quiz with questions about the seminar content was held for all participating students.

On January 18, 2023, our 3rd online seminar of the seminar series on “Studying in Germany” took place for high school students from our Uzbek and Kazakh solar schools as well as for interested students from Georgian and Azerbaijani schools in Russian and English. The seminar was dedicated to the topic of “Master’s studies in Germany”. The 3rd online seminar was the continuation of the first two seminars on December 5 and 19, 2022.

Almost 40 interested 10th and 11th grade students from the schools took part in this seminar. As part of the final seminar in the “Studying in Germany” seminar series, the following points were explained in more detail:

1. How is the Master’s program structured in German universities?
2. What are the requirements for a Master’s degree in Germany?
3. What fields of study are available as part of the Master’s program at German universities?
4. Is it possible to receive a scholarship for the Master’s program?
5. Practical tips on studying for a Master’s degree

After a comprehensive presentation of these questions by experts from Ideas into energy gGmbH and eclareon GmbH, participants had the opportunity to put questions to the speakers. The discussion focused on how to apply for a Master’s degree and scholarships in Germany, what career prospects students have after completing their studies, especially in the field of renewable energies, as well as all other topics relevant to a Master’s degree in Germany.

On February 16, 2023, we launched our new seminar series “Global Energy Transition” for lecturers and students in Central Asia and the Caucasus with the online seminar on “Global Energy Transition – Introduction”. The aim of the seminars is to examine all aspects relevant to the global energy transition and to network universities from Central Asia and the Caucasus with stakeholders and experts from the field of renewable energies.

The seminar on February 16 under the direction of Prof. em. Alexander Kiryuchin focused on the definition of the energy transition, prerequisites for the successful transition from the use of fossil fuels and nuclear energy to a sustainable energy supply based on renewable energies, as well as current trends in the global energy transition. Using examples from countries undergoing the energy transition, in particular Germany, various models were examined that can also be applied to countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus. A further component of the seminar was the presentation and discussion of the potential and status quo of renewable energies in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Lecturers and students from 14 partner universities from Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan took part in the seminar.

The seminar ended with a quiz and prizes were awarded to the winners.

On March 16, 2023, a seminar followed on the topic of “Power grids of the future. Comprehensive modernization of electricity grids as a key element of the energy transition” from our seminar series “Global Energy Transition” for lecturers and students in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

The lecture by Prof. em. Alexander Kirjuchin and the subsequent discussion focused on the role of grid modernization in the transition of energy supply systems to renewable energies, with an emphasis on the special challenges of Central Asia and the Caucasus. The grid infrastructure in Central Asia and the Caucasus is often outdated and represents one of the biggest obstacles for the countries on their way to a green future. The following questions were addressed during the seminar:

1. How can the base load of the electricity grids be guaranteed using renewable energy?
2. How can renewable energies be optimally integrated into the existing electricity grid?
3. Why are comprehensive energy-saving measures a “must”?
4. What role do electricity storage systems play?
5. What are the requirements for electricity grids with regard to electric cars?
6. What are the advantages of mini-grids? How can they be integrated into the electricity grid infrastructure?
7. What does “smart grid” mean?

Lecturers and students from 14 partner universities from Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan took part in the seminar. The seminar ended with a quiz on the content of Prof. Alexander Kirjuchin’s lecture.

On April 27, 2023, the ideas into energy gGmbH held another seminar from the “Solar Universities” seminar series for lecturers and students in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The seminar focused on the composition and characteristics of solar radiation and its potential for energy generation. In addition, practical examples of the measurement of solar radiation and its potential in Europe and in individual European cities were presented.

Key aspects of the lecture by Prof. em. Alexander Kirjuchin and the subsequent discussion were:

1. What exactly is meant by solar radiation?
2. How is it calculated?
3. What are the units of measurement?
4. Which factors are relevant for the intensity of solar radiation and why?
5. Why does the amount of solar radiation that reaches the ground vary depending on the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere and the prevailing climate?
6. What role do the seasons play in solar radiation?

Lecturers and students from 14 partner universities from Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan took part in the seminar.

On May 17, 2023, ideas into energy gGmbH organized a seminar for lecturers and students in Central Asia and the Caucasus, in which the individual components of PV systems were explained in detail. The seminar was the fourth session of the Solar Universities Seminar Series on the Global Energy Transition, which was launched in February 2023 and comprises several thematic seminars on key aspects of the energy transition and the associated challenges in the specific context of Central Asia and the Caucasus.

The seminar on May 17, 2023, led by Prof. em. Alexander Kirjuchin, focused on a wide range of topics, including:

1. What is the photoelectric effect?
2. How is a photoelectric cell constructed?
3. What materials are used in the production of PV modules/cells?
4. What components does a PV system consist of?
5. What is the function of individual components of a PV system (batteries, inverters, etc.)?

Lecturers and students from our partner universities in Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan took part in the seminar.

On June 14, 2023, the ideas into energy gGmbH organized the next seminar from the seminar series on the global energy transition for lecturers and students in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The seminar focused on the technical characteristics, functionality and role of inverters in photovoltaic systems.

The seminar provided a comprehensive overview of inverters as a key component of PV systems.

Building on the results of the previous seminar on “Components of photovoltaic systems”, the seminar participants were also able to deepen their knowledge of other components of photovoltaic systems from both a scientific and an economic perspective.

The lecture by Prof. em. Alexander Kiryuchin on the inverter as an essential component of a photovoltaic system was supplemented by a practical presentation by Albek Sarbassov, Managing Director of EcoEnergy from Kazakhstan, on current trends and innovative technical solutions in the PV industry.

Lecturers and students from the partner universities in Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan took part in the seminar.

On October 17, 2023, the ideas into energy gGmbH held a seminar on “Agricultural applications of PV” for lecturers and students in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

In the first part of the seminar, Prof. em. Alexander Kiryuchin presented a comprehensive overview of agricultural applications of photovoltaics. In his lecture, he also explained the advantages of using renewable energies on farms for farmers in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The various advantages presented were mainly related to cost reductions and yield increases for local farmers.

In the second part of the seminar, a profitability analysis for solar irrigation systems in Uzbekistan was presented. The seminar participants then discussed the possibilities of transferring the results of the profitability analysis to other countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Lecturers and students from the partner universities in Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan took part in the seminar.

On November 9, 2023, the ideas into energy gGmbH held a seminar on “The role of storage systems and batteries in the energy transition” for lecturers and students in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The seminar, which consisted of a detailed lecture followed by a discussion, focused on the following topics (in relation to batteries and energy storage):

1. Clarification of terms/definitions
2. Types
3. Functionality
4. Role in the energy transition

The lecture by Prof. em. Alexander Kiryuchin was supplemented by a practice-oriented contribution by Thomas Gsell, Head of the Battery Laboratory at HY-Line AG, on the functioning of lithium-ion batteries and their role in the energy transition. Mr. Gsell shared his insights on the latest developments and trends in the industry with the seminar participants.

The seminar was attended by lecturers and students from the partner universities in Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

On November 28, 2023, the ideas into energy gGmbH conducted an online seminar in English on the topic of “Studying in Germany” for high school students from our solar schools in Georgia and Islamabad. Interested high school students took part in the seminar. The seminar focused on these topics in particular:

1. How is studying in German universities structured?
2. What requirements must be met in order to study in Germany?
3. What does the application process look like for foreign students?
4. How do you obtain a visa for study purposes?
5. Everyday life in Germany: Practical tips

After a comprehensive presentation of these questions by experts from the ideas into energy gGmbH and eclareon GmbH, which met with great interest from the participants, a lively discussion took place, including on career prospects in the field of “renewable energies and sustainable energy supply” after completing a degree in related courses.

On December 7, 2023, the seminar on “Smart Grid as a prerequisite for an environmentally friendly and sustainable energy supply” was held for lecturers and students in Central Asia and the Caucasus to conclude the “Global Energy Transition” seminar series.

During the seminar, there was a lively exchange of experiences between the seminar participants regarding the status quo of electricity grid stability and explicitly about the problem of grid blackouts. The following questions, among others, were answered in detail during the seminar:

1. What constitutes smart grids?
2. What role does central control play in the combination of generation, storage and consumption of electricity in smart grids?
3. How are power fluctuations in smart grids, especially those caused by fluctuating renewable energies, balanced out?
4. What tasks are assigned to information and communication technologies and energy management systems in smart grids?

Lecturers and students from universities in Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan took part in the seminar.

On December 14, 2023, an online seminar was held to evaluate the “Global Energy Transition” seminar series. The seminar was held under the direction of Prof. em. Alexander Kirjuchin and moderated by the ideas into energy gGmbH.

The seminar series included several thematic seminars on key aspects of the energy transition and the associated challenges, particularly in relation to Central Asia and the Caucasus. The target group of the seminars were lecturers and students from the partner universities in Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

In addition to an introduction to the thematic field of the global energy transition, the range of topics included a comprehensive explanation of the following aspects and components (relevant to the energy transition):

1. Electricity grids of the future: Comprehensive modernization of electricity grids as a key element of the energy transition
2. Solar radiation
3. Components of a photovoltaic system
4. Inverters as “the heart” of a photovoltaic system
5. Use of renewable energies in agriculture
6. The role of storage systems and batteries in the energy transition
7. Smart grid as a prerequisite for an environmentally friendly and sustainable energy supply

The series of seminars met with a positive response from the lecturers from universities in Central Asia and the Caucasus who took part in the seminars: both they and university students were able to benefit significantly from the knowledge transfer and expand their knowledge of important measures and technical solutions in the field of renewable energies and their applications. The participants signaled great interest in continuing the series of seminars on other relevant aspects of the energy transition.

In addition, they found the regional exchange of experience with representatives from Central Asian and Caucasian universities helpful and purposeful: Participation in the seminar series offered them an excellent opportunity to network and learn from each other.

On December 14, 2023, ideas into energy gGmbH held an online seminar on “Studying in Germany: Opportunities and requirements” for high school students from our solar schools in Georgia and Islamabad. Interested high school students took part in the seminar. The following points were discussed during the seminar:

1. What is the structure of studying in German universities?
2. What requirements must be met in order to study in Germany?
3. What is the application process like for foreign students?
4. How do you get a visa for study purposes?
5. Everyday life in Germany: practical tips

After a detailed presentation of these questions by experts from ideas into energy gGmbH and eclareon GmbH, which met with great interest from the participants, a question-and-answer session was held on career prospects in the field of “Renewable Energies and Sustainable Energy Supply” after completing a degree in related courses.