His connection to CC4E dates back to 2018, when he started working for the Competence Centre as a student assistant. In 2022, he co-authored a study on the topic of solar energy commissioned by the Renewable Energy Hamburg (EEHH) network. Under the title ‘A study of the potentional of solar energy for Hamburg. Not just bad weather in Hamburg’, the results were published in 2023. ‘As a city, Hamburg does not have that many options for its own energy supply. The study showed that around two thirds of Hamburg's electricity requirements could be covered by solar systems,’ says Nicholas. ‘Currently, the mandate for solar panels on new buildings and municipal heat planning for a climate-neutral heat supply is a hot topic in Hamburg. In order to develop the ideas from the study further, I used the results as the basis for a new idea for my master's thesis.’
This resulted in the master's thesis ‘Analysis of the Impact of Household Heat Pumps and Photovoltaics on the Electricity Distribution Grid in Hamburg’, which has now been honoured with the ‘German Renewables Award’. It provides an insight into the load and generation profiles of Hamburg's electricity grid and the impact of household heat pumps and photovoltaic systems on this grid. ‘It is a study of current trends in private households and the impact on the entire electricity system. Climate-friendly heating is an important pillar in achieving climate protection targets. One effective option is the use of heat pumps,’ explains Nicholas. ‘At the same time, due to Hamburg's urban characteristics, there is a high dependency on electricity generation from solar energy. With this in mind, I have set myself the goal of finding out what positive effects can be achieved by combining these technologies on a large scale.’
And it was precisely this focus that convinced the jury for the ‘German Renewables Award’: ‘The combination of photovoltaics (PV) and heat as the focus of the research was the decisive point for the jury's decision,’ revealed Dr Kai Hünemörder, Head of the Centre for Energy, Water and Environmental Technology (ZEWU) at the Hamburg Chamber of Trades.
The International Office got to know Nicholas in 2019 when he was awarded the HAW Hamburg DAAD Prize for his excellent grades and social commitment as a tutor for international students. ‘It is wonderful to see an international Bachelor's student continuing his career path with a Master's degree and then on into research and a doctorate and be so successful,’ says Ingrid Weatherall, a long-standing member of staff of the International Office. ‘His enthusiasm for the topic of energy transition is palpable and we wish him every success with his research.’
