Verbund promotes Vienna University of Technology's Renewable Energy Course
The master's program "Renewable Energy in Central & Eastern Europe" puts the educational focus on the area of climate protection and energy supply of the future.
As Austria's largest electricity producer, Verbund is aware of its responsibility for future energy supply and is putting an increased emphasis on research in the area of sustainable energy supply. The demand for sound know-how in this area is constantly growing. The post-graduate university course "Renewable Energy in Central & Eastern Europe", which is starting in October 2009 for what is already the fifth time, is the first cross-border course in Europe to deal with the future-oriented topic of alternative energy production and conduct country modules in Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary.
Verbund Chairman Wolfgang Anzengruber: "Climate protection is one of the greatest challenges of our times, if not the most important. The energy system is the key to the solution. It requires intelligent, future-oriented integral solutions as well as the visionary strength and courage to implement them, then we can make a big difference."
Verbund has recognized this opportunity, since the company does not just rely on its traditionally high contingent from hydropower - in future, "new" renewable energy forms such as wind power should be increasingly put to use. "In order to implement our goal, we need excellent specialists. That is why it is our great wish to support the university course "Renewable Energy in Central and Eastern Europe," says Anzengruber. The study course has made a name for itself as an academic, practically-oriented training and instructs those trainees, which the economy increasingly needs in the future.
However, the climate protection and energy-efficient challenges cannot only be seen as national concerns - they must be understood as global issues. It is especially in the East and South Eastern European countries that there is still immense need to catch up and, simultaneously, potential for expansion in the area of renewable energies.
Verbund CEO Anzengruber: "The strong international orientation of this course forms the optimum foundation for a successful project work in these countries. I wish all students an exciting, successful time and look forward to creating a joint energy future with them."