ACE News

Austrian Country Module for the 16th cohort of the MSc Renewable Energy Systems in Tyrol

From Thursday, 22nd of July until Sunday the 25th, 20 current students and alumni travelled to Innsbruck, to attend this year’s Country Module.

[Translate to English:] Kaprun

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[Translate to English:] Österreichisches Ländermodul für den 16. Durchgang

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[Translate to English:] Österreichisches Ländermodul für den 16. Durchgang

1 of 6 images or videos

[Translate to English:] Österreichisches Ländermodul für den 16. Durchgang

1 of 6 images or videos

[Translate to English:] Österreichisches Ländermodul für den 16. Durchgang

1 of 6 images or videos

[Translate to English:] Österreichisches Ländermodul für den 16. Durchgang

1 of 6 images or videos

Usually, the Country Module would take place in a different Country every year, but this year’s was held in Austria, to make sure it could happen, considering Covid travel restrictions.

As is customary for Country Modules, it was planned to show the regions strengths in Renewable Energy Systems, which in Tyrol’s case are generally hydro power and efficient building. On the first day the students were welcomed at the University of Innsbruck’s technical campus, by Wolfgang Streicher, University of Innsbruck, opens an external URL in a new window to talk about energy-efficient construction with special consideration of the use of renewable energies. At the center of the discussion were the renovation of the Campus building and "Tirol 2050, opens an external URL in a new window", the federal state's initiative to become independent from fossil energy sources by 2050. Also on the first day, the student group went to dinner at the restaurant “Bierwirt” and enjoyed conversations at an informal gathering along with delicious food.

After Friday was spent with Harald Malzer from Neue Heimat Tirol, opens an external URL in a new window visiting the Smart City Wörgl, opens an external URL in a new window and passive house construction sites, the highlight of the trip has to be the high mountain reservoirs in Kaprun, opens an external URL in a new window on Saturday. Arriving at the bottom of the mountain at about 800 meters above sea level, a tour guide explained the structure of the whole reservoir, before also guiding the group through power plant building. The way up the mountains past the different reservoirs to the restaurant for lunch, which is at around 2000 meters above sea level, took about an hour. Mesmerized by the amazing views the students followed the guide over the dam and walked back through a tunnel inside the dam.

On the last day back in Innsbruck, the group met close to the city center at a 100-year-old renovated building with 35 inhabitants, owned and managed by Heinz and Martina Fuchsig. The couple showed the students through the whole building and told the story of the renovation with its challenges and results (see: Zinshaus Pradl, opens an external URL in a new window). It was great to see how such an old building could be improved to be almost passive house standard, but also how a sense of community among the inhabitants can improve quality of living.

After a short coffee break and discussion, the class said goodbye to Tyrol and made their way back home. Everybody was happy to be able to spend this time together, especially after having ONLINE lectures almost exclusively for a year.  

 

Key Facts

Final Degree: Master of Science (MSc)

Academic Director: Univ.Prof.Dr.techn. Reinhard Haas

Language: English

Duration: 4 Semesters

Location: Vienna & Bruck/Leitha

Structure: part-time, blocked modules

Tuition Fee: EUR 19,500

Next Program Start: November 4, 2021

Admission requirements: Completion of a subject-related study program in technical and natural sciences, economics or law and a minimum of 2 years of professional experience. Persons holding an equivalent educational and professional qualification may also be admitted.