Author: Rahul Rajkarnikar

IGCS offers scholarships to outstanding students and researchers from Indian and German academic institutions, who have excellent academic records, strong English and intercultural communication skills. Our students submit a specific research or work plan aligned with IGCS’ research themes, which they continue to develop through experience working abroad in collaboration with their advisor at the host institution.

Today, we introduce you to one of our scholar, Geethanjali R V, a tandem masters student from Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India who worked under Prof. Martina Padmanabhan from the Universität Passau, Germany. She shares:

“I am Geethanjali, a Development Studies student from IIT Madras. My research area is the political ecological discourses surrounding the #Thamirabharani river in India. I was roped into the project as a part of the River Cities Network, through which I met Prof. Martina Padmanabhan. When I was invited to conduct my research in Passau with several other scholars working in the area, I was worried about the financial implications a two-month stay in Germany would have. My mentor here in India, Dr. Christoph Woiwode then introduced me to the IGCS scholarship. After an elaborate application process, I was informed that I had been offered the IGCS grant funded by #DAAD!

As I arrived in Passau, I was warmly welcomed by my professor and my other colleagues. They made sure I felt comfortable and also ensured that I could learn everything they had to offer in the time I was there. The research environment there was really top-class and I learnt a great deal about conducting qualitative research, the different tools I could employ and the structuring of a good research paper, which will be greatly useful as I progress in my career.

I am also extremely thankful to the IGCS team for being helpful in the whole process, and made sure to go the extra mile to even help me out with my visa documents, etc. The representatives were always prompt in answering to my never-ending questions and I never once felt like I was alone in this whole process.

Beyond the academic aspects, my stay in #Germany offered a rich cultural experience. I have always wanted to work in an inter-disciplinary environment, and this exchange provided me with exactly what I wanted. Interacting with people from diverse backgrounds and exploring the country’s vibrant history and traditions broadened my perspectives and enriched my personal growth and I will take these experiences with me wherever I go, as I move forward with my career.

This experience has been truly transformative, and I am excited to apply the knowledge and skills I’ve gained to my future endeavours.”

The IGCS actively contributes to the exchange of knowledge by facilitating collaboration between students and researchers, aiming to generate innovative solutions for sustainability. It is a research hub dedicated to addressing pressing sustainability challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. Research is one of the core pillars of IGCS and is reflected in a wide array of our activities and events. The centre’s research involves collaborations with various esteemed institutions across Germany and India.

Today, we are excited to present a research brief from our alumni, offering insights into the key areas where our efforts are focused.

Fatima Bravo Lara was our exchange student who had their exchange period between 25. December 2023 until 05. March 2024 at the Department of Electrical Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai, India under Prof. Dr. Krishna Vasudevan. Their home institution is the Department of energy process engineering and conversion technologies of regenerative energies at Technische Universität Berlin, Germany under Prof. Dr. Frank Behrendt. Their research was on the topic of ‘Air Conditioner Energy Efficiency within the New Academic Complex at IIT Madras.’

The research focuses on improving the energy efficiency of the air conditioning system at the New Academic Complex (NAC) at IIT Madras, as part of India’s energy transition and carbon neutrality efforts. A collaborative study between IIT Madras and TU Berlin assessed the current state of the HVAC infrastructure at NAC, identifying challenges, such as ineffective temperature control, inefficiencies during low occupancy, and structural issues related to condensation.

The research methodology involved visual inspections, surveys, and data analysis. Findings revealed issues like excessive cooling at night, interrelated temperature changes between rooms, and energy consumption remaining high despite low occupancy. The study proposed several recommendations: implementing energy-saving measures, optimizing nighttime HVAC operations, and upgrading equipment for efficiency. A cost-benefit analysis was also suggested to prioritize energy-saving initiatives.

In conclusion, while NAC has made strides in energy optimization, further improvements in HVAC infrastructure and operation could enhance energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and support IIT Madras’s sustainability goals.