Friday, the Chinese Minister for Science and Technology visited DTU and was, among other things, introduced to PowerLabDK and the newly opened ‘Miljøtek’.
On Friday, 15 April, Henrik Wegener, Executive Vice President, Provost, and Martin P. Bendsøe, Senior Vice President, Dean of Graduate Studies and International Affairs, met with the Chinese Minister for Science and Technology, Wan Gang, and senior officials from the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology.
The purpose of the visit was to tell them about Danish research—in particular within the field of energy—and to investigate opportunities for collaboration within research and innovation.
“The Chinese ministerial visit helps to put focus on our research and education,” says Professor Jacob Østergaard, Head of the Center for Electric Power and Energy at DTU Electrical Engineering.
“Denmark is a world leader within the integration of renewable energy, and such a high-profile visit contributes to promoting our efforts and means that we are able to attract very strong Chinese partners to DTU and Denmark.”
Water challenges in China
On the guided tour, the visitors heard presentations about collaboration projects addressing Chinese water challenges as well as presentations about urban waste water management. The Chinese were also introduced to ‘Miljøtek’, which comprises a unique experimental teaching facility that features exhibitions designed to stimulate the curiosity of visiting high school students, and to boost interest among them in studying to become environmental engineers.
The delegation was also given a tour of the laboratories in PowerLabDK, where Jacob Østergaard told them about smart grid systems and wind energy as an integral part of the energy supply.
Export of energy technology
“China has big plans and very interesting, huge-scale projects—which makes it interesting for us to work with Chinese partners. We can also help Danish companies to boost their position with exports of energy technology. Danish exports of energy technology totalled DKK 74.4 billion in 2014, an increase of 10.7 per cent compared to 2013. Exports of energy technology thus account for 12 per cent of total exports of goods, which is the highest figure in the EU. And with the Chinese market, we can expect further growth,” says Jacob Østergaard.
It is Wan Gang's first visit to Denmark in his capacity as minister. During his three-day visit from 14 to 16 April, he will, among other things, visit the University of Copenhagen and the Niels Bohr Institute, Avedøre Power Station as well as the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science.