Nasimul Maruf came to Flensburg to study for his doctorate

Even before beginning his doctoral studies in Flensburg, Nasimul Maruf had been traveling internationally. After completing his bachelor’s degree, the young man from Bangladesh went to Sweden and the Netherlands to pursue his master’s degree. He then returned to Bangladesh to work as an Assistant Professor at the American International University Bangladesh. It was there that he discovered his interest in renewable energy systems. Through his research and project work, he shifted his focus to topics related to structurally sustainable energy transition and its associated challenges. He realized that energy transition isn’t just about new solar installations or wind farms. It requires good design and consideration of the entire energy system, as well as clear models and transparent decision-making.

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Für seine Doktorarbeit kam Maruf dann nach Flensburg. Interessant war für ihn das Doktorandennetzwerk ENSYSTRA (Energy Systems in Transitions). Im Rahmen des von der Europäischen Union geförderten Doktorandennetzwerk wurden die Doktorand*innen in einem interdiziplinären Umfeld in Methoden der Szenarioanalyse und Energy System Modellierung sowie Open Science ausgebildet. Das bot Maruf die Möglichkeit zu vernetztem Arbeiten mit verschiedenen Universitäten, aber auch die Vernetzung mit anderen Forschungseinrichtungen, Industriepartner*innen und öffentlichen Einrichtungen. „Am ENYSTRA-Netzwerk hat mir der Fokus auf Energie-System-Modellierung und Open-Source Forschung gut gefallen. Hier konnte ich mich mit einer systemweiten Perspektive auseinanderzusetzen und dabei die technisch-ökonomische Modellierung von Energiesystemen mit Fragen der Governance, der Marktgestaltung, der Infrastrukturentwicklung und gesellschaftlicher Triebkräfte zu verbinden.“, erzählt Maruf. 

An international research community at the EUF provided Maruf with a home for his research

For his doctorate, Maruf conducted a model-based analysis of energy systems with a high share of renewable energy sources and examined how the integration of a combination of electricity and heating systems can help stabilize the grid, make it more efficient, and reduce overall costs. “I don’t think we’ll be able to solve the challenges of energy transition at the technical level alone. There are complex interactions between technology, infrastructure, markets, and politics. Modeling can help identify potential solutions here,” explains Maruf.

“For his doctoral thesis, Maruf modeled the possibilities of maximizing the use of electricity for heat supply in the building sector. He shows that, in Schleswig-Holstein and other parts of Germany, coupling electricity and heat supply based on a 100% renewable energy supply is not only possible but can also be economically attractive,” explains Prof. Dr. Olav Hohmeyer, who supervised the doctoral study.

Maruf's work was conducted as part of the EU-funded ENYSTRA doctoral network

Maruf heard about Flensburg through a friend. “He told me about the research community up here and the strong focus on sustainability and energy transition research. That really persuaded me. I was also drawn to the proximity to Scandinavia. With the international community on the campus, I found the perfect environment for my research,” reports Maruf.

Flensburg also became a home for Maruf's family

Flensburg became more than just an academic home. “Flensburg also became a home for my family. My daughter grew up here during her early years, spoke her first German words at the international nursery school, and learned to ride a bike,” explains Maruf. “Not only was I welcomed to the university, my family was welcomed too.” The city’s maritime charm and the residents’ laid-back, Nordic attitude made Flensburg a true home for Maruf’s small family. Since the Bangladeshi community in the city is small, it felt like a big family to Maruf. During his time in the north, he formed long-lasting international friendships. After obtaining his doctorate, Maruf moved to southern Germany to work at the Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg and from there to Avangrid in the U.S.