At the end of September, the Institute of Energy Systems and Thermodynamics invited students on a multi-day study trip through Germany and Austria. The aim was to provide cross-disciplinary insights with a particular focus on thermal turbomachinery as well as energy and thermal technology systems.

The journey began with a trip to Cologne, where the itinerary included visits to the Garzweiler lignite mine, opens an external URL in a new window and the Niederaußem power plant, opens an external URL in a new window operated by RWE Power AG, both significant sites of conventional power generation. The group then traveled to Oberhausen to visit Everllence, opens an external URL in a new window (formerly MAN Energy Solutions), a leading provider of thermal turbomachinery and related systems. Next, the students visited BBS GmbH, opens an external URL in a new window in Freiberg am Neckar, a specialist in industrial boiler systems. The study trip concluded with a stop at Scheuch GmbH, opens an external URL in a new window in Aurolzmünster, Austria. There, the participants gained insights into the production of industrial fans and learned about the development steps of a new acoustic test bench.

The study trip was accompanied by Professors Heimo Walter (Thermodynamics and Thermal Engineering) and Reinhard Willinger (Fluid Flow Machinery). Their expert guidance helped students build bridges between theoretical knowledge and industrial practice, encouraging deeper discussions throughout the journey. The combination of technical expertise, firsthand experiences, and a diverse mix of large-scale industry and specialized manufacturing made the 2025 excursion a valuable and lasting experience for all involved.