“All the lectures during the week were really great. I wouldn’t trade any of them. And I got several new work connections and friends!”

(Published 27.08.2021)

NTRANS PhD Felipe Van de Sande Araujo, recently got back from the NorRen summer school, which was organized in the Bergen area 16- 20 August.

Felipe is full of impressions after a very intense week:
 “We worked 11 hours a day, and nobody was fooling around. Both the PhDs and the lecturers were taking these important issues really seriously. It was really good to experience the enthusiasm and engagement in the group of 29 PhDs from the energy field.

Morning swims in the fjord

“I’m a morning person, so to start the week I enjoyed an early morning swim in the fjord by myself. Later, several of the other participants joined me. The surroundings were so beautiful, and the weather was fine, too."

 Felipe admits that in the very beginning, after such a long time with corona and online lectures, he was a bit anxious to be there in person. But all precautions were taken to avoid any COVID spreading, tests were distributed to all participants, and everything was taken care of.

 “On the second day the ice was broken, we felt safe and were getting back to a more normal, physical life again. We experienced a true group spirit and shared the enthusiasm as a team,” says Felipe.

 Presentations and teamwork

On the first day, the energy PhDs presented their projects to each other.

 “It was great to learn that others are working in the same area of research as me. Research can often be lonely work, but now I have a whole new network of good contacts, and also new friends.”

 This year there was only one field trip, to the wind farm at Midtfjellet and the Stord shipyard. The rest of the time week was filled with lectures. Two professors from NTRANS were among the lecturers, director Asgeir Tomasgard (NTNU) and research Director Mette Bjørndal (NHH).

 “The lectures were so well balanced, and it was all so well organized. Even though we had a busy schedule, we always got small breaks so that we could digest all the new information.”
At the end of the week the PhDs presented results from their team work to the whole group.

 Climate change requires altruistic thinking

 Felipe really feels strongly about the seriousness and urgency concerning the energy transition.

 “The research for cleaner energies is really serious, this is important work for the whole world. Climate change will affect us all, like COVID. People must act altruistically and based on good science!"