Dana Zhunissova, Kazakh-German University

Saniya Akhmetova, Kazakh-German University

Renewable energy sources (RES), which are an integral component of this process, play a key role in a sustainable energy transition. The use of renewable energy and production of hydrogen have untapped potential in the Central Asian region. Human capital is an important element of the successful implementation of the set goals. The development of professionals requires strengthening educational programs, training specialists and stimulating research. This is also achieved through the exchange of experience between countries, creation of community and establishment of partnerships among those who promote the green economy.

The annual Renewable Energy Trip, which is the flagship project of the Center for Natural Resources and Sustainable Development at the Kazakh- German University (KGU), provides a practical basis for training students and researchers from Central Asia, providing them with a unique opportunity to study in-depth the best practices in the field of renewable energy and exchange experience between countries. Since 2018, this expedition has become not only a source of new knowledge, but also a force uniting like-minded people in the pursuit of sustainable energy development in Central Asia. Over the past five years, more than 70 participants have formed long-term professional ties and actively interact with each other.

In the context of the Central Asian region, Renewable Energy Trip is of key importance in the formation of human resources capable of implementing innovative approaches and technologies in green energy. The project participants, having learned in practice, return to their countries with new knowledge and insights, contributing to the active development of the industry.

Renewable Energy Trip creates international bridges for the exchange of experience and transfer of advanced technologies in the field of renewable energy from Germany, China and other countries. This allows participants not only to assess local peculiarities, but also to apply global knowledge in the context of their countries.

This year, in the period from August 21 to 27, the Renewable Energy Trip 2023 educational trip was held, with the support of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) project "Energy of Central Asia". The expedition attracted engineers, scientists, students and undergraduates in the field of energy and ecology from various Central Asian countries who successfully passed the selection for participation.

The energy transition in Central Asia was the main topic of discussion at the opening round table. The participants considered the issues of the transition to clean energy, the analysis of the current energy situation in the countries of Central Asia, and also identified the prospects for development in this region and its impact on the global energy picture.

In her welcoming speech, Barbara Janusz-Pawletta, Vice President for International Cooperation and Sustainable Development of KGU, expressed the importance of initiatives uniting professionals in the field of green energy and ecology who are passionate about theirtopic and are ready to contribute to the formation of an environmentally sustainable future. She urged the participants to take the opportunity to study the processes of the station from the inside, discuss challenges in this area with engineers and facility managers and be inspired by a joint search for ways to solve them.

AinurSospanova, Chairperson of the Management Board of Qazaq Green Renewable Energy Association, told about the development and barriers of the renewable energy sector in Kazakhstan. Qazaq Green Renewable Energy Association continues to support this trip for more than a year, contributing to the expansion of knowledge and professional growth of future industry specialists.

Deputy Head of the USAID project "Energy of Central Asia" Bayan Abylkairova shared an overview of the renewable energy sector in all five countries and presented recommendations based on the experience of implementing projects in these countries. The USAID project "Energy of Central Asia" supports undergraduates of the KGU educational program "Strategic Management of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency" (SMREEE) by providing an opportunity to study in this important and relevant area necessary for sustainable development.

Given the significant role that investments play, understanding financial instrumentsand analyzing current cases are important aspects in this area. Senior Investment Specialist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Kseniya Rogan made a presentation on "Financing infrastructure growth in Central Asia and beyond". The head of Hydrogen Diplomacy Office in Astana, Manuel Andres, presented an overview of the potential applications of green hydrogen, relevant for Kazakhstan.

Dana Ermolenok, Senior National Advisor for the Global Program for Climate-Resilient Economic Development (CRED) project, presented a report covering important aspects of the relationship between decarbonization and adaptation to climate change, the impact of climate change on the energy sector, examples of adaptation measures in the energy sector, as well as the use of E3.kz macroeconomic model to prepare development plansand adaptation measures.

Director of Helio SolarKZ LLP Makpal Akpayeva told about innovative technologies in solar energy. Helio Solaris a leading provider of innovative technologies for renewable energy with a wide range of solutions. It is worth noting that the company is currently installing a mini-solar station on the roof of the KGU building. This station not only serves as a source of clean energy, but will also become a platform for sharing knowledge with future generations. Here schoolchildren, students and young professionals will be able to study the operation of solar panels and technological innovations of the station in practice.

Hydropower occupies a leading position in the energy complex of the region and all countries of the region are actively developing plans forthe use of this energy source. At the same time, the challenges of climate change portend a shortage of water resources, which underlines the importance of comprehensive approach to energy development. Dr. Denis Krutov spoke about the existing potential of hydropower in Central Asian countries, highlighting the work of hydroelectric power plants and giving specific examples of facilities. On the same day, the participants of the trip visited one of the considered facilities — Kapshagai hydroelectric power station (HPP), which has an installed capacity of 364 MW.

The route of the trip also included a visit to the Kapshagai solar power plant (SPP) with a capacity of 2.41 MW, where the technology of tracking the sun is used. In addition, the participants had the opportunity to compare the traditional coal plant, the Almaty thermal power plant CHPP-2 named after Zhakutov, with other facilities. They not only studied the operation of this facility, but also realized the need for its modernization due to equipment wear. The presence of women in the staff also caused surprise and admiration of the participants. Then the expedition group continued its route towards Taraz, where it visited the SPP "Burnoey Solar 1 and 2" in Baurzhan Momyshuly settlement in the Zhambyl region. Burnoye Solar 1 SPP was a pioneer in the production of renewable energy in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

Then the participants went to the north of Kazakhstan, where they visited the Nura SPP in Akmola region and the Sa ran SPP in Karaganda region, and studied local characteristics and technologies used. In the following days, the members of the expedition group visited the wind power plants (WPP) "First WPP" in Yerementau town and "Astana EXPO-2017" Kostomar settlement in the Akmola region. The trip ended with a visit to the mosque with zero energy consumption "Allanyn Guli -the Flower of the Almighty" and the Museum of Future Energy "Nur Alem" in Astana.

This year's expedition was a significant event for 19 specialists and students from Central Asia, giving them the opportunity to expand their knowledge and understanding in the field of renewable energy development and prospects. Seven participants from Kazakhstan, four from Kyrgyzstan, five from Tajikistan and three from Uzbekistan made this journey together, discovering unique perspectives and establishing new connections. 42% of women and 58% of men took part in this trip. Women are showing an increasing interest in this industry. For example, thanks to the scholarship program for women in the field of renewable energy from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for SMREEE undergraduates, this year the number of girls exceeded the number of boys.

The participants were students and undergraduates specializing in renewable energy and already having experience in this field. Scientists and teachers, heads of departments, associate professors and doctors of sciences from Karaganda Higher Polytechnic College, Kyrgyz Technical

University, Razzakov, Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers, as well as from other organizations also took part. They are ready to share their knowledge in the future and apply it in their educational programs and research, as well as in joint projects. Students, undergraduates and young scientists had the opportunity to gather information for writing their scientific dissertations and other research on best practices in the use of renewable energy.

During the excursions, the participants listened with great interest and enthusiasm to the engineers of the visited facilities and actively asked their questions to the staff and management of the stations. The trip was an incredibly useful experience for all participants, contributing to the strengthening of friendly and cooperative relations between citizens of Central Asian countries.

FEW FEEDBACKS ABOUT THE TRIP:

Aigul Orazbayeva (Kazakhstan) on visiting Kapshagai HPP

“It was a unique opportunity to see and get acquainted with the production process! HPP is a strictly guarded facility, we are very pleased that the management of HPP made an exception for the participants of our expedition. The project of such a large-scale HPP, as well as the reliable operation of the entire station for more than 40 years, admires the professionalism of the employees working at this HPP. We thank the management of Kapshagay HPP and Pavel personally for the tour!”

Aidar Kanatbekov (Kyrgyzstan):

“We have gained a lot of new knowledge about the processes of electricity production. Thank you for your hospitality, for answering all our questions and for your time. Such events not only broaden your horizons, but also allow us to better understand how important and difficult the work you do is!”

In addition to the feedbacks, the participants, and even the engineer of the stations visited, recommended thinking about the possible expansion of the boundaries of the expedition and the organization of such a trip throughout Central Asia. According to the participants, having studied the energy sector of Central Asia from the inside, we could contribute to the fight against global problems such as climate change and the depletion of natural resources.

CENTER FOR NATURAL RESOURCES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AT KGU

The Center focuses on education and research in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, capacity development in the field of environment and natural resources, as well as on establishing bridges for the transfer of knowledge from Germany and other international partners to this region.

The main mission of the Center is generation, transfer and dissemination of knowledge, technologies and competencies in the field of "water-energy-earth- ecosystems-mobility" against the background of climate change in Central Asia. Five key areas —water, green energy, land use, environmental management and green business and society — form an integrated approach to solving the challenges facing the region. Three master's programs for candidates from Central Asia, Afghanistan and Mongolia in the areas of “Integrated Water Resources Management”, “Strategic Management of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency”, “Management of Sustainable Business Development”, provide training necessary for effective resource management and formation of sustainable future.

On June 21,2023, the Kazakh-German Institute of Sustainable Engineering Sciences opened in Aktau in partnership with Sh.Yesenov Caspian University of Technology and Engineering. The main focus of the Institute is aimed at developing future technologies, integrating advanced German experience into the educational process and becoming a catalyst for innovation in the Mangystau region. The establishment of the Institute is aimed at supporting research and innovation, contributing to the sustainable social and economic development of the region. One of the promising areas of this region is the implementation of large-scale project of Svevind, Hyrasia One, for production of hydrogen, planned for 2032, and providing for extensive production of up to 20 GW. The Institute will contribute to the expansion of knowledge in the context of this important hydrogen project.

Central Asian countries have significant potential to mitigate climate change by expanding the use of renewable energy and introducing innovative solutions. Personnel requiring training and advanced training play a key role in this process. Therefore, such unique projects as the Renewable Energy Trip and specialized training program are necessary, and should be promoted together with other projects.