Each of us has the opportunity to make life around us a little better, says Professor Michael Brodmann. This is something that Brodmann, Vice President for Research and Transfer at Westphalian University of Applied Sciences in Gelsenkirchen (WH) and Director of the Westphalian Energy Institute, sees as a challenge – doing something every day to ensure that coming generations inherit a world that is still livable. In fact, his profession offers him various opportunities to do just that, because the native Hanoverian, now resident in Hünxe, works to make sure that in the future, we all benefit from a climate-neutral energy supply.

Responding to our questionnaire, Michael Brodmann explained how his professional work is helping shape the transformation in the Ruhr metropolitan area.

My professional title is Vice President for Research and Transfer at Westphalian University of Applied Sciences in Gelsenkirchen and Director of the Westphalian Energy Institute.

My work involves research into hydrogen systems, specializing in particular in the construction of high-pressure electrolyzers for generating green hydrogen at a pipeline or storage pressurization level.

What I find most exciting about my research is the fact that we’re contributing to the energy transformation, and to a future that respects the environment. In the process, we’re creating and preserving jobs.

For me, transformation means that here in the Ruhr valley, we’re promoting the development of a future-oriented industrial sector that is highly responsible in the way it treats our resources, our climate, and our environment, and offers jobs designed to give due consideration to key aspects of social sustainability.

I’m helping shape the transformation (in the Ruhr valley) through my research because new knowledge is generated and sharing that knowledge with existing and start-up companies sustainably supports the goals mentioned above.

Without my Institute’s research, the path that leads to a future hydrogen economy and a climate-friendly energy supply would be just that much longer.

For me, my profession means fulfillment and a commitment to the future.

To me, collaborating with other scientific institutes in the Ruhr valley means sharing a bond that strengthens us and moves us forward when practiced on an equal footing.

For me, the Ruhr valley is a new home – and an incubator for sustainable development.

Header: Hans Jürgen Landes