The Lower Rhine Energy Scouts learned how to use measuring devices in the labs at HSRW’s Kamp-Lintfort campus. The climate change adaptation project for trainees at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) has been running at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences for 10 years. The qualification measure is intended to help trainees initiate improvements in their training companies in order to make companies fit for the challenges of climate change adaptation. For example, identifying potential for energy savings or promoting biodiversity at the company location, developing their own project ideas, and suggesting improvements. Over the past ten years, around 480 trainees have contributed to the implementation of project ideas in companies, saving a total of over €2.5 million in energy and resource costs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Energy Scouts project has been supported by HSRW since 2015.
On October 10, 25 trainees were welcomed to the Kamp-Lintfort campus for the second of a total of three workshops as part of this year’s Lower Rhine Energy Scouts program. The aim of the practical day was to impart practical knowledge about climate change adaptation, biodiversity, and energy measurement techniques that can be used to record energy consumption and potential waste. In the morning, Prof. Dr. Daniela Lud introduced the basics of climate protection and the role of green infrastructure and biodiversity in climate change adaptation. Afterwards, the trainees took to the Zechenpark with their smartphones to discover different plant species and experience the “industrial nature” of the Zechenpark up close. Following a group lunch in the cafeteria, they headed to the laboratories under the expert guidance of Prof. Dr. Irmgard Buder and Thomas Klimeck from the Renewable Energies Transformation Project in the TransRegINT project, as well as Dr. André Wenda.
Tracking down energy leaks
A quick boil of the kettle for a cup of tea during the break. But how much energy does a kettle consume? And how much does an electric hotplate consume in comparison? Equipped with a wattmeter, the trainees recorded the power consumption of various appliances. Thermal imaging cameras were used to detect heat leaks, and the CO2 meter demonstrated the importance of proper ventilation. Various lamps, such as energy-saving and halogen lamps, were available to measure the energy consumption and heat generation of light sources. The practical exercises had an impact on the trainees: “Maybe we should also purchase a thermal imaging camera for our company.”
The support was a point of honour for Prof. Dr. Irmgard Buder and Thomas Klimeck: “The Lower Rhine Energy Scouts are an exciting project. Actively supporting the creation of greater energy awareness is part of our project work. It is here that we reach young people who return to their companies as knowledge mediators and multipliers. They have achieved immense savings potential over the last ten years.”