Interview Globalmagazin with Nico Jäckel

• Research and development of, for example, sustainable energy sources: Science plays a central role in developing new technologies and innovative approaches that can improve the efficiency, storage, distribution, and use of renewable energy. For example, advances in photovoltaics, wind energy, hydropower, biomass, battery storage, hydrogen technology, and geothermal energy sources are important drivers of the energy transition.
• Continuing education and lifelong learning: The rapid development of technologies requires that skilled workers constantly stay up to date. Academia can help provide continuing education opportunities and lifelong learning for professionals in the energy industry to continuously improve their energy skills, in particular with regard to interdisciplinary cooperation, because the energy transition is a complex topic that links different disciplines. Here lies a strength of the HECTOR School, as it brings heterogeneous groups from different disciplines, industries, countries and positions to the same table for learning.

Meanwhile, the key business factors include: 

• Renewable energy investment: The business community plays a critical role in financing, building, and operating renewable energy projects. Investment in the renewable energy economy is essential to expand and scale the capacity of these technologies.
• Market integration: the business community is the driving factor in integrating renewable energy into existing energy markets. Providing incentives, trading "green certificates," and developing pioneer markets for innovative energy solutions can accelerate the energy transition.
• Energy industry innovations: Companies need to develop new business models to promote energy efficiency and make it easier for consumers to access clean energy. For example, smart grids and innovative energy management services improve energy literacy.
  For all these areas, however, well-trained people are again needed above all to drive the upcoming changes.

Globalmagazin: What can/should further training of employees achieve in this context?

Nico Jäckel: It is important that further training measures are specifically tailored to the needs and requirements of the respective company or organization. 

• Updating knowledge: The energy transition is a dynamic process that is influenced by technological advances, political developments and social changes. Employees must be provided with up-to-date expertise so that they understand the latest developments in the energy industry.
• Acquiring new skills: The transition to renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies often requires new skills and competencies. Appropriate further training can provide individuals, teams or even entire departments with technical knowledge and practical skills necessary for their specific tasks in the context of the energy transition. As such, further training also strengthens the adaptability and resilience of employees in the event of business model restructuring and other changes.
• Raising awareness of sustainability and environmental protection: Energy efficiency and renewable energies are in line with the goal of sustainable and environmentally friendly development. Further training measures, especially at facilities that have a focus on sustainability and carbon neutrality, helps to raise employees awareness of the importance of sustainability and motivate them to actively contribute to the energy transition.
• Promoting innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration: The energy transition often requires collaboration between different departments and specialist areas. Through further education measures, e.g. in an international and interdisciplinary environment such as at the HECTOR School, the exchange between different teams is promoted with practically oriented teaching units and the networking of expertise is made possible. Through on-the-job models, employees are not only given the tools, but also the space to develop new ideas and bring them into their work context in the company.

Through well-trained and committed employees, an organization can strengthen its energy competence and make a positive contribution to the energy transition.

Globalmagazin: There can be a fine line between genuine climate efforts and greenwashing. How can employees in companies help to ensure that this line is not crossed?

Nico Jäckel: Employees can help ensure that the line between climate efforts and greenwashing is not crossed by pushing for transparency, ambitious and quantifiable targets, internal controls with reporting, and science-based information. Their awareness of sustainability and support for credible stakeholder communications are critical to ensuring that the company is taking real steps to promote a sustainable future.

Globalmagazin: Sustainability is more than "just" energy efficiency. What other issues does the industry and the scientific community need to address?

Nico Jäckel: Other important issues to be addressed by business and academia include the responsible use of resources, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the promotion of a circular economy, the protection of biodiversity, social justice and ethical business practices, and the sustainable use of water resources. Taking a holistic view of these issues is critical to creating a sustainable and more resilient society for the future.
The HECTOR School supports this by embedding aspects of sustainability in all continuing education programs as well as in the campus organization. Particular emphasis is placed on the circular economy, carbon neutrality and the development of renewable energy.

Globalmagazin: Can technical progress alone lead us out of the energy crisis?

Nico Jäckel: Technological progress can make an important contribution to overcoming the energy crisis, but it cannot lead us out of the energy crisis alone, as a holistic solution requires a combination of technological innovations, political measures, changes in consumer behavior and sustainable energy policies.

German version / deutsche Version

„Gut Ausgebildete treiben Veränderungen“

Abstract des Interviews:

Die Zusammenarbeit von Wissenschaft und Wirtschaft ist entscheidend für die Energiewende. Dabei treibt die wissenschaftliche Forschung innovative Technologien voran, während die Wirtschaft Investitionen in erneuerbare Energien und Marktintegration vorantreibt. 
Von Bedeutung ist auch die Weiterbildung für Mitarbeiter*innen, um aktuelles Fachwissen zu erhalten und neue Fähigkeiten zu erwerben, während sie gleichzeitig ein Bewusstsein für Nachhaltigkeit ausbauen. Dabei umfasst Nachhaltigkeit mehr als nur Energieeffizienz, es beinhaltet auch den verantwortungsvollen Umgang mit Ressourcen, Emissionsreduktion, soziale Gerechtigkeit und ethische Geschäftspraktiken. 
Wichtig ist zu verstehen, dass technischer Fortschritt allein die Energiekrise nicht lösen kann, eine ganzheitliche Lösung erfordert technologische Innovationen, politische Maßnahmen und nachhaltige Energiepolitik. 
 

Interview erschienen im „globalmagazin, 25/07/2023“

Das komplette Interview in Deutsch finden Sie hier.