Sustainable energy for all with energy and process technology: social, fair and resource-efficient

How high is the proportion of social content in mechanical engineering studies or in one of its sub-areas? One is quickly tempted to answer with a clear "no proportion". Anja Bendeck, a student of energy and process engineering, sees it differently.

"Energy technology is incredibly social for me," Anja beams as she enthusiastically explains why such a technical subject meets all her requirements for social content. "For me, the climate crisis is a big issue. To solve it, we need renewable energies, and we need to develop and optimize them." This is precisely the focus of the Energy and Process Engineering degree program at RPTU's Kaiserslautern campus.

Optimizing energy use means conserving resources

Renewable energies, Anja continues, are an important prerequisite for making our world fit for the future - so that everyone can participate. "And that's what my degree program is made for: we deal with how energy can be converted efficiently and used sensibly. From mechanical engineering, the main focus of our course is on plant engineering. And then, from process engineering, there is the planning, control and optimization of processes." Her aim is to contribute to advancing the production of renewable energies and optimizing them so that they are accessible to everyone - no matter where. "But you don't necessarily have to go in this direction with this degree," explains Anja. The course not only deals with renewable energy sources, but also with processes that help to use energy more efficiently overall. Process engineering and process management skills open up a number of career opportunities in industry, "because there are always processes everywhere".

Anja breaks the women's quota

Anja is one of very few women in her already small degree program. "I'm a little surprised why so few women choose to study engineering. A little more female thinking in technical developments certainly wouldn't hurt," she smiles. "Well," she quickly puts it into perspective and grins, "at least we women are at least as good as the men in these areas and should dare to do more."

For her, mechanical engineering was part of her everyday life from an early age. Both her mother and father studied at RPTU in Kaiserslautern. "When both parents are engineers, you listen to a lot of technical conversations as a child." Above all, however, Anja grew up with the idea that women are naturally also engineers.

Anja's goal: more girls in STEM

Anja would like to pass on this self-image to other girls and women. That's why she is involved in the Ada Lovelace Project in her free time. For around 25 years, the project, named after the British mathematician Augusta Ada King-Noel, Countess of Lovelace, has been committed to introducing girls and women to STEM subjects or supporting them in pursuing a STEM career. This Rhineland-Palatinate competence center for women in STEM subjects offers STEM school clubs, various workshops with topics such as programming, soldering, cosmetics from the test tube and CSI:Ada. Anja travels to schools for the Ada Lovelace project to help schoolgirls overcome their inhibitions about STEM subjects. At the same time, as a student of energy and process engineering, she is always a role model who can be asked questions directly. "I really enjoy that! Especially because the cliché of it being a man's job has persisted to this day."

Math pre-course: well prepared for university

Many students are concerned about the high proportion of mathematics in engineering degree programs. "At university, of course, mathematics is structured differently than at school," says Anja. "But you grow into it step by step." To ensure that all students have a similar mathematical basis, there is a preliminary math course. Freshers spend two weeks cramming math shortly before the start of lectures.

"There wasn't much new for me in terms of content - I had math and physics classes at school. But I found the way it was taught very catchy. Even those who only had a basic math course at school were able to pick up the necessary knowledge." Should everyone take the math pre-course anyway, even if they already have the knowledge? "Absolutely," Anja is convinced, "after the two weeks at the university before the actual start, you already know how the Wi-Fi works, you have access to OLAT and, above all, you know at least a few faces of your fellow students."

Small degree programs, intensive support, lots of practice

All first-semester students of a STEM subject take the preliminary math course together. The Energy and Process Engineering degree program itself, on the other hand, is small and manageable. "We know each other. For example, we have a WhatsApp group that includes all students on our degree programs - across all semesters. We help and support each other. That makes studying a lot easier for me, for example." Those who are in their fourth semester help those who are just starting out. Due to the two compulsory labs in the Bachelor's degree, the practical component is high. And, according to Anja, the lecturers are always approachable and provide support where necessary. If you have any other questions, are looking for a place to study or want to get in touch with other students, you can contact the student council.

For Anja, energy and process engineering is more than just a degree. It is a way to secure the future viability of energy production through engineering know-how and to shape it in a socially just way.