Dutch royal couple visits Telegrafenberg

Matthias Steinmetz, chairman of the AIP, together with Reinhard Hüttl, head of the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) and the directors of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Johan Rockström and Ottmar Edenhofer, welcomed the royal couple, the Prime Minister of Brandenburg, Dietmar Woidke, his wife Susanne, the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Ingrid van Engelshoven and the Brandenburg Minister of Science, Research and Culture Martina Münch. In the dome hall of the Great Refractor, the historic telescope, Matthias Steinmetz greeted the delegation: “For almost 150 years, the Telegrafenberg has not only stood for the exploration of our planet and its place in the cosmos, it has also been a place for international cooperation and interdisciplinary scientific discourse ever since.”

The reason for the visit was the ceremonial signing of two cooperation agreements between the GFZ and the Technical University of Delft, as well as the PIK and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. At six thematic tables in the Great Refractor, the royal couple could inquire about research in the fields of geothermal energy and underground storage of cold and heat in cities, the use and storage of deposited carbon as well as effects of climate change or the decarbonisation of the energy system.

“I am very pleased that the royal guests from the Netherlands today visited this unique research campus on Telegrafenberg," said Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke. "The discussions and encounters have made clear the many points of contact that connect researchers in Germany and the Netherlands. The three institutes, of which the state of Brandenburg is rightly proud, are leaders in the German and international research landscape. They have contributed to Potsdam's international reputation and recognition and to the fact that its name stands for the high quality of scientific research. The royal couple underlined this with their visit today.”