RENAC initiates international knowledge transfer for renewable energy and energy efficiency

More than 300 engineers and decision-makers from fourteen different developing and newly industrialising countries are currently receiving further training in renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies at the Renewables Academy (RENAC) in Berlin, as part of the TREE project. The project, set up and run by RENAC, is supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) within the context of the International Climate Initiative. Focusing on technological knowledge transfer, TREE is also indirectly helping to improve export opportunities for German businesses.

The participants  were chosen from the more than 800 individuals who applied to RENAC within a few weeks of the initial announcement of TREE (Transfer Renewable Energy & Efficiency). "The programme is aimed at participants who can apply the knowledge acquired in the best possible way in their work in policy-making or the private sector," said Berthold Breid, chief executive of RENAC. TREE addresses engineers and decision-makers from the private sector and the world of politics, who are key players in equal measure in the further expansion of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Decision-makers gain an overview of various technologies, political and economic parameters, funding and sponsorship. For engineers the main focus is the provision of courses on solar thermal systems and photovoltaics. Practical activities take place at the RENAC training centre.

TREE does not just offer one-way knowledge transfer from Germany to other countries. At the seminars energy experts from three different continents also exchange experiences from their own countries. RENAC is setting up a TREE alumni portal in order to create a permanent network.

In the first phase of the TREE project, up to the end of February 2009, a total of fourteen introductory seminars were offered. The second phase of the project starts in March, with seminars on solar thermal power stations taking place in five different countries, and subject-specific extension seminars in Berlin from April. In addition each TREE participant has time allocated for individual advice sessions, as well as the opportunity to enrol on online courses via a distance learning platform set up jointly with the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (Technische Fachhochschule, TFH).

The Renewables Academy based in Berlin offers training and further education in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Participants receive technical and non-technical instruction through courses conducted in German or English at the RENAC training centre.

Information on TREE: www.tree-project.de
Information on RENAC: www.renac.de

Press contact:

Anja Haupt                                                                      
Renewables Academy AG                                                                                                       
Schönhauser Allee 10-11                                                          
10119 Berlin

Tel.: +49-30-27496445  
Fax: +49-30-26079492                                                                  
E-mail: haupt@renac.de