The exchange focused on opportunities for environmentally and climate-friendly ship operation through sustainable fuels. During the visit, President Jürgen Krahl presented the university's research and development activities in the areas of sustainable mobility, energy, and automation. The guests were given an insight into the UrbanLand mobility center currently under construction, the Research institute Future Energy (iFE) and Institute Industrial IT (inIT), and the Land OWL power plant. In addition, the TH OWL's expertise in the fields of production and automation, environment and resources, and space and culture was presented.
During the discussion, Yngvar Frodell emphasized the importance of alternative fuels for the future of shipping: "The new Polarstern will be equipped with modern dual-fuel engines that can burn both diesel and methanol—both of which are also available in bio-based form. This will enable the research vessel to navigate the ice in a much more climate-friendly manner. The exchange with TH OWL as a proven expert in biofuels is particularly valuable for us."
Another item on the agenda took the guests to the Innovation Campus Lemgo (ICL), with the main focus area on InnoSPIN, CIIT (Centrum Industrial IT), and SmartFactoryOWL. From the roof of the main building, the visitors finally got an overview of the campus and the regional research structures.
The exchange is to be continued, particularly with regard to possible joint research fields relating to sustainable maritime technologies and alternative propulsion systems.
