Impact - The U Bremen Research Alliance science magazine. Issue 5

Since 2019 the Impact science magazine provides an exciting insight into the effects of the cooperative research in Bremen. Issue 5 was published in January 2022. The topics in this issue: "Using wind turbines longer", "Long-term observation and research on the ocean floor" and "Explaining the climate crisis: Bremen in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change".

Von Timo Joost

24 Jan 2022

After a year under water, the sediment trap is hoisted on board the research ship.
After a year under water, the sediment trap is hoisted on board the research ship.   © Jan-Berend Stuut - NIOZ

Long-term observation and research on the ocean floor

The ocean floor is an archive for environmental and climate changes, a unique habitat and an endangered ecosystem all in one. Scientists from the U Bremen Research Alliance are investigating the effects of climate change at the Cap Blanc off the Mauritanian coast. Samples are taken with the help of so-called sediment traps, some of which are anchored at a depth of several thousand meters on the seabed. You can read about the conclusions the scientists can draw from this from page 8 onwards in the article "Long-term observation and research on the ocean floor".

Where enormous forces are at work: The bearing test bench simulates the movements of rotor blades.
Where enormous forces are at work: The bearing test bench simulates the movements of rotor blades.   © Jens Lehmkühler / U Bremen Research Alliance

Using wind turbines longer

An important part in the fight against climate change is the expansion of renewable energies. Wind power plays a central role in this. Around 30,000 wind turbines are currently generating green electricity in Germany and are helping to achieve climate targets. How can the service life and safety of wind turbines be increased while reducing maintenance and electricity generation costs as well as CO₂ emissions? The scientists have their sights set on a component that has to endure a lot: the rotor blade bearing (p. 4).

Calls for action: Prof. Dr. Hans-Otto Pörtner.
Calls for action: Prof. Dr. Hans-Otto Pörtner.   © Kerstin Rolfes

Explaining the climate crisis: Bremen in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Climate change is one of the most urgent problems of our time. With that in mind, it is the task of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to summarize and evaluate the state of research on climate change in order to provide politicians with a science-based basis for their decisions. Three working groups regularly compile global climate knowledge in status reports. In February it's that time again. Then Working Group II presents its partial report. The co-chair of the influential committee - and only the second German scientist in this position - comes from the U Bremen Research Alliance: Professor Dr. Hans-Otto Pörtner, cooperation professor from the Alfred Wegener Institute and the University of Bremen. You can find out more about Bremen’s contribution to the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change from page 12 onwards.

Participating cooperation partners:

Universität Bremen
Leibniz Institute for Material-Oriented Technologies
Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems and Energy System Technology
Alfred Wegener Institute