Green hydrogen, which is produced in a climate-neutral way, is considered to be the energy source of the future and is essential for the success of the energy transition. This clean and safe energy carrier is produced through the use of renewable energies such as solar, wind and biomass. Despite the progress made, Germany cannot meet its demand for green hydrogen entirely from its own resources. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is therefore promoting the expansion of international hydrogen partnerships as part of the national hydrogen strategy.
Namibia in particular is considered by many experts to be one of the most promising countries for the cost-effective production of green hydrogen and its derivatives such as methane, ammonia or methanol. These gaseous or liquid energy sources based on green hydrogen play an important role in the global energy landscape. Namibia has set itself ambitious targets and plans to start exporting green hydrogen before 2025. This cooperation could make a decisive contribution to a sustainable energy supply and international climate protection. The Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is also active in Namibia on behalf of the BMBF. Among other things, it is working on the priority areas of sustainable economic development and the management of natural resources. The focus is on environmentally friendly access to sustainable resources.
In our interview, all those involved have their say: we talk to Dr. Andy Gradel, Deputy Director of the Institute for Hydrogen and Energy Technology. He plays a key role in the cooperation between the University of Windhoek and Hof University of Applied Sciences. We also talk to Prof. Habauka Kwaambwa, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Science and Applied Sciences at the Namibia University of Science and Technology in Windhoek. Also involved: the two students Monika Niimpungu Leevi and Justine Nelago Auene, who are currently working on their final theses in Hof.
Prof. Plessing, Dr. Gradel: We’ve heard you use the buzzword “Namibia” a lot recently, and you also took part in a knowledge transfer trip organized by the Bayerisches Bildungswerk. What is it all about?
Plessing: “The BBW sent German experts to Namibia as part of the GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) funded project “De-bushing and use of biobush mass in Namibia” in order to transfer knowledge on the use of biomass for energy. We were at the NUST, the technical university in Windhoek, and discussed the development of the research focus “Fuels from biomass” and our future cooperation with Prof. Habauka Kwaambwa.”
And then we also had a visitor here from Namibia as well as two students who are now studying here at Hof University of Applied Sciences. What connection does Hof University of Applied Sciences have here?
Gradel: “In addition to specific project funding, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has also released a large sum for scholarships to train Namibian experts in the field of hydrogen. Two of these so-called “Youth for Green Hydrogen” scholarships were awarded to students from Prof. Kwaambwa’s Master’s program. We then worked with him to ensure that Monika Niimpungu Leevi and Justine Nelago Auene were the first from the entire program to start the summer semester here in Hof at lightning speed.”
What specific hydrogen topics will Hof University of Applied Sciences be focusing on?
Gradel: “Our research focuses on biomass and biohydrogen with Professor Tobias Plessing, photocatalysis with Professor Tobias Schnabel and trace substance elimination with Professor Andreas Schmid. The young scientists are now working on the topics of “Photocatalytic hydrogen production using coated biochar” and “Effects of water treatment for electrolysis on marine biology at the production site”.”
The students are currently in Hof. What’s next for them?
Plessing: “The two Master’s students are currently in the middle of their work, conducting experiments, evaluations and examinations in selected subjects of our English-language program. They will be conducting research in our laboratories for six months until September and will then soon receive their Master’s degree back home in Namibia. Perhaps one day they will honor us again, e.g. as doctoral students.”
German South West Africa, today’s Namibia, became the first German “protectorate” of the German colonial empire in 1884. Economics Minister Habeck said on an earlier trip that Germany had a responsibility in its energy policy partnerships. “The last thing we should accept is a kind of green energy imperialism.” Is this discussed in your cooperation with your Namibian partners?
Plessing: “We sometimes talk about political issues, and we have also spoken to other locals on site. You really have to wear kid gloves here, because mistakes were not only made in the distant past – see the frustrating return of the skulls in 2018. Statements like the minister’s serve to directly invalidate possible accusations. The new infrastructure that will hopefully soon be built will, I think, have a very positive impact on the situation in Namibia, as ten times as much generation capacity will be newly installed as has been available in the country to date and numerous jobs will be created.”
Gradel: “At a working level, this is very exciting for us, we can learn a lot from each other here. In addition, the academic education in Namibia is excellent and we are delighted with the knowledge and interest of the scholarship holders.”
Prof. Kwaambwa, what do you expect from the collaboration with Hof University of Applied Sciences? Were the formal steps difficult, e.g. the applications for the scholarships for the Master’s students?
Kwaambwa: “I expect the collaboration to continue to leverage the strengths of both institutions to enhance teaching, learning and research, with particular emphasis on the emerging fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). This will be achieved through faculty and student exchange programs, joint faculty and student research projects, and the development of curricula and qualifications for joint programs and degrees. The latter has the advantage that students can earn credits for participating in joint courses at one of the two institutions.
The formal steps for the collaboration were facilitated by the visit of Professor Tobias Plessing and Dr. Andy Gradel to Namibia in 2023 as technical advisors for our research project “Strengthening research and production capacities in the health sector in Namibia and developing a new economic sector for the use of biomass”, which was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy (StMWi) via the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammnarbeit (GIZ).
Even before formalizing the collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Prof. Tobias Plessing and Dr. Andy Gradel as well as Prof. Tobias Schnabel made arrangements to host four Master’s students (two of them under my supervision in Namibia) under the “Youth for Green Hydrogen Scholarships” from Germany administered by SASSCAL. The two Namibian students are currently hosted at the Institute for Hydrogen and Energy Technology at Hof University (iwe) for their six-month research activities.”
You were also there yourself as a guest lecturer…
Kwaambwa: “Yes, from 26 to 30 May 2024 to be precise. The aforementioned activities have contributed significantly to the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding and the expansion of cooperation through a student exchange agreement, which is currently being finalized. As soon as the latter is completed, another Master’s student with the same scholarship will come from our university for the winter semester.”
Let’s move on to our two students:Monika Niimpungu Leevi and Justine Nelago Auene. Justine, how did you come up with the idea of going to Germany?
Justine Nelago Auene: “Coming to Germany is part of the BMBF/SASSCAL scholarship agreement…”
Monika Niimpungu Leevi: “My trip to Hof was fantastic! After a long flight, I was warmly welcomed at the airport by the staff of the Institute of Hydrogen and Energy Technology (iwe) and given a tour of the city. The hospitality at the university immediately made me feel at home.”
And how is the scientific work going?
Monika Niimpungu Leevi: “My academic work is going very well, the research and coursework are both challenging and rewarding. I am grateful to the iwe, the students and the lecturers for their support. I am already halfway through my thesis and enjoy working with advanced lab equipment, which will contribute to both my academic and professional development.”
What motivated you, Justine, to take a closer look at the topic of hydrogen during your studies?
Justine Nelago Auene: “My motivation to focus on hydrogen during my studies stems from its potential to have a significant impact on climate change and the sustainability of the energy supply. The interdisciplinary nature of hydrogen research with the latest findings in materials science is an intellectually stimulating challenge that I am happy to take on.”
Monika, what do you particularly notice about Hof University of Applied Sciences?
Monika Niimpungu Leevi: “What particularly struck me was the solidarity, security and support from both the administrative and academic staff; there is always someone willing to help. I am impressed by the friendliness of the iwe and the community at Hof University. I was also impressed by the university’s commitment to sustainability and I enjoyed experiencing the many traditions during the Schlappentag.”
Thank you all very much for the interview!
