The project was part of the lecture “Citizen Participation Processes for Energy Infrastructure Development” in the Master's program in Geothermal Energy/GeoEnergy, which is offered at TUM in cooperation with Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU). As part of the course, two groups of third-semester master's students, led by Prof. Dr. Michael Drews and Robin Renoth, each developed an information stand on geothermal energy specifically aimed at citizens without technical expertise.
Information stands enabled a deep dive into geothermal energy
The two information stands were presented on January 9, 2026, in the Science Communication Lab of the Deutsches Museum. There, the students informed museum visitors about the basics of geothermal energy and two innovative technological approaches: Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and Advanced Geothermal Systems (AGS). While EGS involves targeted modification of the subsurface to enable an open heat cycle for heat utilization, AGS is based on the installation of a closed heat cycle deep underground.
Comprehensible, clear, interactive: guidance on good science communication
Robin Renoth's main concern was to provide students with targeted support in communicating these complex technical topics in an understandable way and to pave the way for them to gain practical experience in communicating with target groups outside their field. The support included both the content development for the stands and the didactic preparation for dialogue with the public. The event thus offered students the opportunity to incorporate perspectives, questions, and critical feedback from citizens directly into their examination of the topic of energy infrastructure.
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Robin Renoth
