iFE Inaugural Meeting - Let's get started

Timespan
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On May 10, 2017, the inaugural meeting of Future Energy (iFE) took place on the university campus in Detmold. The challenges and opportunities associated with a successful energy transition became particularly clear during the event. The key to this: interdisciplinarity. The charming and worthwhile talk by Germany's best-known TV meteorologist gave the event a relaxed atmosphere, followed by stimulating discussions.
 
Delicious food and good talks were enjoyed by around 100 guests from business, politics and science. Among those present were the District Administrator of the district of Lippe, Dr. Axel Lehmann, the deputy mayor of the city of Lemgo, Renate Bauer, as well as the president and vice president of Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Ingeborg Schramm-Wölk and Prof. Friedrich Biegler-König. Prof. Thomas Schulte served as moderator and guided the guests through the evening.
While Prof. Jürgen Krahl, President of the OWL University of Applied Sciences and member of the iFE scientific advisory board, emphasized the important harmony and mutual benefit of research and teaching, Prof. Susanne Schwickert and Prof. Johannes Üpping, in their institute presentation, focussed on the interdisciplinary approaches and methods that are necessary for an innovative idea and, ultimately, customised technology. "Energy research involves much more than simply providing technology," says Schwickert. In addition to these, questions of social acceptance and "soft" framework conditions are crucial for cross-disciplinary research, such as the openness of all parties to solution proposals or the creativity that allows the combination of interdisciplinary approaches.

Afterwards, Sven Plöger, meteorologist and TV presenter, enthused the auditorium with his talk on climate policy and energy research and presented exciting facts about dealing with natural resources, the differentiation between weather and climate, and the relationship of the Arctic ice to the weather. With charm, humour and a good deal of seriousness Plöger gave his speech an acute and at the same time entertaining flavour.

The iFE Board of Management also thanked all employees who had invested a lot of time and effort in the preparation of the event.

At the same time, the consistently positive feedback for the work of the iFE should be used as a starting point in order to further promote energy research for neighbourhoods, mobility and work environments. We look forward to future collaborations and the new findings that result!