International cooperation for the energy transition: Second workshop strengthens German-Colombian research collaboration

Focus on sustainability and the energy transition

The focus was on shared research interests in the fields of sustainable energy systems, Power-to-X technologies, and the role of materials science and information technology in the energy sector. The agenda included presentations on hydrogen research, synthetic fuels, energy communities, and the life-cycle assessment of energy technologies. The presentations were complemented by activities focusing on energy communities and a sustainable socio-ecological transition. The delegation also visited UdeA’s laboratories and research facilities, which cover the entire value chain from materials development to integrated energy systems, including  CIDEMAT, GIMEL, GEA and the microgrid laboratory at the Oriente Campus.

Over the course of several days, intensive working group meetings were held to discuss and develop specific project ideas, methodologies, objectives, resources and budgets – a key building block for future collaboration.
 

Visits to innovation partners

The participants also visited strategic partners within the regional innovation ecosystem, such as the Xploratorio Haceb and the Ruta n solar cell laboratory. A visit to the green ammonia production plant operated by OPEX S.A.S. Hevolution S.A.S. in Sabaneta rounded off the programme.
 

Social transformation and cultural exchange

A particular highlight was the visit to Comuna 13 in Medellín, which is regarded as a global model for social transformation, urban art and community resilience. This visit provided an opportunity to reflect on the role of innovation and sustainability in territorial development.

The cultural element was complemented by a visit to the traditional Arrieros coffee plantation, where participants gained insights into the cultivation, harvesting and processing of artisanal coffee – an example of the connection between sustainability, tradition and regional value creation.
 

Results and Outlook

The week-long workshop strengthened academic cooperation between Colombia and Germany and opened up new opportunities for joint projects, academic exchange and professional development in the fields of sustainable energy systems and the energy transition. Initial ideas for joint projects were discussed in particular detail. Both institutions agreed to further expand their cooperation in research, teaching and the promotion of innovation.

Participants

The following researchers from the UdeA took part:
Prof. Franklin Jaramillo (CIDEMAT), Prof. Natalia Gaviria Gómez (Direktorin SIU), Prof. Edwin Chica (GEA), Prof. Diana Orozco (CIDEMAT), Prof. Nicolás Muñoz (GIMEL), Prof. Jorge Calderón (CIDEMAT), Prof. Juan Camilo Villegas (Forschungsgruppe Angewandte Ökologie) und Juliana González (Communications Officer).

The H-BRS delegation consisted of:
Prof. Dr. Stefanie Meilinger (IZNE), Prof. Dr. Alejandro Valenzuela (TREE), Prof. Dr. Katja Bender (IZNE), Prof. Dr. Wiltrud Terlau (IZNE), Dr. Maria Fernanda Lozano (IZNE), Dr. Matthias Günther (Lehrbeauftragter) und Dr. Sebastian Heinen (IZNE).