A Summer School in Uzbekistan: THI Students report

For Elijah Flisar and Fabian Schneider, THI bachelor's students in the "Energy Systems and Renewable Energies" program, the summer of 2025 was anything but ordinary. In July, the two traveled to Uzbekistan to participate in the RE.Act Summer School and the RE.Act Forum.

The two events are part of the DAAD-funded RE.Act project (more information on the website), which aims to strengthen research and teaching in the field of the water-energy nexus at Naryn State University in Kyrgyzstan and TIIAME National Research University (NRU) in Uzbekistan and is being coordinated by the Institute of new Energy Systems (THI-InES).

In their experience report, the two describe their personal experiences and share the impressions they brought back to Ingolstadt from this special trip.

Monday: RE.Act Forum
The day after we arrived, we participated in the RE.Act Forum. The program offered engaging lectures, including one by a representative of the Uzbek Ministry of Energy. He gave us a comprehensive look into the country's current energy mix as well as planned developments. During the coffee break, we had our first opportunity to personally exchange ideas with Uzbek and Kyrgyz students.

In the afternoon, we visited a leading photovoltaic company in Tashkent. On-site, we were able to see the further development of module mountings—both in terms of materials, from steel to aluminum to coated materials, and in terms of their adaptation to different areas of use, such as pitched or flat roofs. Afterwards, we gained insights into the production processes in the manufacturing hall and were able to watch the production first-hand.

Tuesday & Wednesday: RE.Act Summer School
On Tuesday morning, various working groups were formed that were both interdisciplinary and internationally mixed. Our task was to identify a local problem related to water, energy, and/or agriculture. Building on this, we were to formulate a precise research question and develop possible solutions and suitable research methods. This group work formed the basis for the further project work over the course of the week.

In the afternoon, as part of a lab tour, we gained insights into the university's scientific infrastructure. A special highlight was the physical model of the Chirchiq, the largest river in the region, which represents all reservoirs, hydropower plants, and canals to scale. With this model, scenarios such as water scarcity or drought periods can be simulated – especially with a focus on the interaction between energy production and water availability for agriculture.

On Wednesday morning, two interesting lectures took place. The first was given by Dr. Kedar Metha, Head of International Energy Research at THI-InES, who explained the concept of agri-photovoltaics and its potential for Uzbekistan. He showed how agricultural use and solar power generation can be combined, which will be of high relevance for dry regions like Central Asia in the future. The second lecture was given by Kobiljon Abduganiev, a former TIIAME-NRU student who now works for Goldwind, an international company for wind power projects. He reported on the current situation of wind energy in Uzbekistan and presented his company's first major wind power project in the country.

Thursday: Excursion to the University's Own Farm
On Thursday, we visited the TIIAME Farm, an agricultural research center outside of Tashkent. It was our first time experiencing the landscape away from the city. The area was surprisingly green with many trees, fields, and even grazing cows.

The farm plays a central role in research on irrigation systems and cultivation strategies. For example, different crop rotations are tested here to find out which ones best harmonize with the climatic conditions and soil of the region. The technical infrastructure, which contributes to the precise monitoring of conditions, was particularly exciting for us. A weather station continuously measures important parameters such as wind speed and temperature, which are crucial for agricultural yield. Additionally, soil moisture sensors are installed in the fields, enabling a precise analysis of the moisture in the soil.

Friday: Presentation of Results and Closing Event
On Friday morning, an insightful lecture on the energy and water resources of Kyrgyzstan was on the agenda before we focused on preparing our final presentations. Each group concisely summarized their results and proposed solutions and presented them in the plenary.

Collaborating with international students proved to be especially enriching. A significant part of our group work involved navigating and translating discussions between German, Kyrgyz, English, Russian, and Uzbek.

Free Time
After a short rest at the hotel—a welcome break with temperatures over 40 °C and bright sunshine—we used the evenings to explore Tashkent.

A special highlight was the metro, where each station is individually and very artistically designed. We also visited the city center with the iconic Hotel Uzbekistan. Another highlight was the city's largest bazaar, where you can find everything from fresh food and traditional spices to handmade souvenirs. We also took a detour to the "Magic World" amusement park before rounding off our trip with a visit to the Tashkent TV Tower. From the top, we had a breathtaking view of the city, and on a clear day, we could even see the mountains on the horizon. A perfect end to an eventful week!