Center unites energy sector and academia in the search for low carbon

The Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute for Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering (Coppe), of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), launched this Thursday (15th) the Virtual Center for Low Carbon Technological Solutions, which will connect companies from the energy sector to laboratories working on low carbon solutions and funders.

According to Coppe’s vice-director, Suzana Kahn, low-carbon solutions can benefit various sectors of the economy, such as improving production processes at steel mills, cement industries and logistics at transport companies, impacting the reduction of gas emissions. pollutants.

The deputy director explained that from a mapping, a network was created between the various laboratories of the institution.

One of the laboratories that will integrate the center is Ocean Technology (LabOceano), which studies the use of wave energy, such as offshore wind generation (at sea) and ocean thermal energy, with applications for the offshore oil industry .

“We have more than 150,000 square meters of laboratories and many of them, which were built and financed with oil and gas research and development (R&D) funds, are suited to questions related to energy solutions”, he highlights.

distance learning courses

As it is a new area of ​​knowledge, Suzana Kahn stated that there is still a lack of knowledge about new low-carbon technologies, the pros and cons, impacts and renewable energies. In this way, the Virtual Center will carry out distance courses in modules. The first, which will start in August, will deal with energy from the oceans. The idea is for interested parties to assemble their own schedule, based on economic aspects and areas of interest.

Companies can also offer courses for the staff, based on the area of ​​activity of the business. To take the course, you must have a degree.

The basic course for the general public is on climate change, also scheduled to start in August. For October, the expectation is to promote two new courses: biomaterials for civil construction and hydrogen.

Debate

In the debate “Low Carbon Technological Solutions: competences and vision of the future”, held this Thursday (15) by Coppe, with the presence of executives from several energy companies, there was a consensus among the participants of the need for a greater approximation between companies and academia. “There is a gap between the way of working, thinking, timing. This was identified as an issue that needs improvement because both benefit. The industry benefits from the university’s knowledge and the university begins to approach its most exciting challenges that the company needs to meet”, emphasizes Suzana Kahn.

Another issue was about regulation, involving, for example, partnerships between federal universities and the private sector.

The participants also discussed Brazil’s dependence on importing equipment for energy production. “People always end up caring. It has a lot of oil and often imports equipment that it needs”.

The debate was part of the “Agenda Coppe e Sociedade” series, which is part of the institution’s 60th anniversary celebrations.