Practical and digital competence enhancement in the field of bioenergy - knowledge transfer between Egypt and Germany

Summary

In order to counter climate change and the associated negative impacts on nature, society and the economy, a CO2-neutral supply of energy (electricity, heat and power) is essential. Currently (as of 2021), the fossil fuels mineral oil (32%) and natural gas (27%) still account for the highest share of primary energy consumption in Germany; while in Egypt, the shares of natural gas (59%) and mineral oil (34%) are even significantly higher. In order to change this, the share of renewable energies must be further expanded as quickly as possible, for which, among other things, well-trained skilled personnel is needed. While Germany has a large number of biogas plants that produce energy-rich methane gas in an almost CO2-neutral way, especially due to state subsidies, this type of energy production has not yet reached any significant capacity in Egypt. In principle, however, the conditions for sustainable biogas plants in Egypt are very favourable, as a large number of unused biogenic residues from agriculture are available. The present project is intended to contribute to advancing the transfer of knowledge between Germany and Egypt and to improving teaching in this field.
The primary goal of the proposed project "Practical and Digital Competence Enhancement in the Field of Bioenergy - Knowledge Transfer between Egypt and Germany" is therefore to establish a new teaching module in the field of bioenergy ( in particular biogas production) that corresponds to the current state of science. The two participating project partners "Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH)" and "Ain Shams University Cairo (ASU)" have set themselves the goal of deepening and sustainably developing their cooperation in order to use each other's strengths and possible synergies through cooperation in research and teaching.
Through this cooperation, the quality of education at the partner universities is to be increased through the following measures, among others:
 Designing a new module on "Bioenergy", which is to be taught in various Bachelor's degree programmes (including Green Technologies at TUHH, Mechanical engineering at ASU).
 Preparation of Bachelor's and Master's theses in German-Egyptian cooperation
 Train-the-trainer" workshops for staff (teaching staff) of the partner universities
 practical training for students of the partner universities (especially for students of the Master's programme "Renewable Energies" of the TUHH and the Bachelor's and Master's programmes "Mechanical Engineering" of the ASU)
The improvements this brings to teaching are intended to help ensure that the prospective university graduates are available to the labour market as qualified specialists. They will then not only have technical expertise and the ability to work scientifically, but will also be able to evaluate projects (especially in the field of bioenergy) ecologically and economically. In addition, they are internationally connected and have acquired an understanding of other cultures. This is essential in combating climate change, as it is a global challenge that can only be addressed through international cooperation.

Achievements

List of Publications from the Project

Partners

• Technical University of Hamburg (TUHH)

Project Members

• Hossam Salah
• Amr Elbanhawy
• Tamer Elnady

Project Leaders