Our Team
Europe
Torsten Schwab
Director
Torsten Schwab
Director
Based in Berlin, Germany
Torsten Schwab is the coordinator of the “PtX Hub”. The last years, he managed the IKI-project “Climate Neutral Alternative Fuels” in Brazil – BMU’s first PtX project within the PtX Action Program. He has been with GIZ since 2004, promoting the use of renewable energies, first in rural electrification, then in energy planning for specific technologies (solar, wind, bioX), and lately renewables as a source for clean aviation fuels. He holds MSc degrees in both Engineering Cybernetics and WASTE („Water, Air, and Solid Waste Treatment Engineering“), both from the University of Stuttgart.
Carolin Capone
Director
Carolin Capone
Director
Based in Berlin, Germany
Since March 2021 I have led PtX Hub activities, focusing on cooperation with our partner countries: Argentina, South Africa and Morocco. I have worked in different positions in and outside of GIZ, mostly in research and consulting on clean transport and renewable energy. For the last three years, I was responsible for the GIZ‘s clean transport projects in Thailand and in the ASEAN region.
I studied Environmental Engineering and Environmental Resource Management at the Brandenburg Technical University in Cottbus and Saitama University in Japan, and have since worked in Thailand, Japan, Colombia and Peru.
Frank Mischler
Director
Frank Mischler
Director
Based in Brussels, Belgium
We are entering the decisive decade to mitigate the harshest effects of climate change and – so my conviction – we will only be able to manage if hydrogen and PtX from renewable energy sources play an important role. I am leading the Brussels Team of the PtX Hub, follow policies and regulations of the European Union closely and their implications for developing and emerging countries. I am concerned with building a global system that allows for frictionless trade in renewable hydrogen and derivatives, with a particular focus on setting up a book & claim system for sustainable aviation fuels.
Before joining the PtX Hub, I supported the European Union’s climate diplomacy efforts with G20 countries.
Heino von Meyer
Sustainability & Global Relations
Heino von Meyer
Sustainability & Global Relations
Based in Berlin, Germany
I enjoy being part of the highly competent and creative start-up team of the PtX Hub. Our mission is to catalyse green hydrogen solutions on a global scale, focussing in particular on sustainability along the entire value chain. My role as Head Global Relations and Networking is to liase and partner with international institutions, initiatives, and individuals engaged in Power-to-X development advancing S4F: Sustainable fossil-free fuels and feedstocks. Prior to working with GIZ, I was a Senior Economist at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for three decades. From 2002 to 2019, I served as Head of the OECD Berlin Centre.
Maren Schöttler
Communications
Maren Schöttler
Communication
Based in Berlin, Germany
Prior to starting in the PtX Hub, I worked for the GIZ in fostering collaboration between the private sector, political actors and researchers to create sustainable business models addressing developmental challenges. Before that, I supported the energy dialogues between the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy and partner countries at adelphi consult in Berlin.
Elmar Schuppe
Training Development
Th. Elmar Schuppe
Training Development
Based in Bonn, Germany
As I was always interested in environmental and climate protection and fascinated by related questions of how the world can adequately secure energy supplies, I have found the perfect job here at GIZ targeting comprehensive and long-term decarbonisation solutions for the whole economy. At the moment I am working to build up a secretariat for sustainable synthetic fuels, otherwise known as PtX. Before joining GIZ in 2015, I supported a renowned Indian think tank in New-Delhi and practiced energy economics both in the German energy industry and at the Institute of Energy Economics at the University of Cologne (EWI). As an economist, I am convinced that effective climate protection is not possible without putting a reasonable price on GHG emissions.
Ruth Barbosa
E-Learning & Community
Ruth Barbosa
E-Learning & Community
Based in Frankfurt, Germany
I joined the PtX Hub in September 2022 to support the trainings team. Before, I worked for two and a half years with GIZ Brazil. In the partner project ProQR I got in touch with the exciting topic of Power-to-X and developed academia training measures for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
Holding a Master Degree in Educational Leadership from University of Duisburg-Essen, I bring along didactical expertise from the language and vocational training sectors. After living and working in Poland, Italy, Canada and Brazil, I am now based in Frankfurt and excited to continue my professional journey with the PtX Hub trainings.
Elisabeth Kriegsmann
Training Organisation
Elisabeth Kriegsmann
Training Organisation
Based in Berlin, Germany
In May 2021, I joined the PtX Hub, since then I form part of the PtX trainings team. I’m holding a master’s degree in International Economics from the Berlin School of Economics and Law. During my studies I dealt with socio-economic and ecological sustainability issues and the green transition of the German automobile industry. After my graduation, I collected working experience in the UNECE prior to join the PtX Hub.
Climate change is a multi-faceted issue that all of us are facing. I believe that only a holistic approach can tackle this challenge. With Power-to-X we can transform renewable energy into a broad range of products for agriculture all the way up to cosmetics, using mostly – but not exclusively – hydrogen as a vehicle to produce these end products. The goal is to not stop here, but to also consider environmental prerequisites and social aspects of each location and hence trigger an overall improvement of the environmental, social and economic situation in the respective regions.
I am happy to have joined the PtX Hub Team and contribute to the spread of knowledge about the possibilities of Power-to-X technologies around the world while simultaneously learning a lot every day myself.
Sonia Rueda
Aviation & Chemical Industry
Sonia Rueda
Aviation & Chemical Industry
Based in Berlin, Germany
Philipp Wittrock
Shipping & Country Outreach
Philipp Wittrock
Shipping & Country Outreach
Based in Bonn, Germany
I joined the PtX Hub Berlin in May 2022, focusing on the cooperation with our partner countries Egypt and Kenia as well as advising the PtX Hub on Power-to-X in the shipping sector. I have worked in different positions in GIZ on international energy and climate topics, gained in-country experience in various countries worldwide and was senior advisor to the Managing Director at GIZ.
Sustainability is an integral part of my professional and private life, contributing to the big picture with small steps. Currently, I am completing a part-time MBA in Sustainability Management at the Centre for Sustainability Management at Leuphana University in Lüneburg.
I studied European Studies with a focus on International Studies at Maastricht University in the Netherlands and the University of Oslo in Norway, and have since lived and worked in Uganda and Georgia.
Jan-Hendrik Scheyl
PtX Sustainability & Certification
Jan-Hendrik Scheyl
PtX Sustainability & Certification
Based in Bonn, Germany
Defossilising various industries with PtX can effectively contribute to reaching international climate targets. The integration of PtX in supply chains across the world is a challenge that can be tackled best by cooperating on a global level with the many stakeholders involved.
As part of the Brussels Team of the PtX Hub, I engage at the intersection of certification, sustainability, and standards.
Before I joined the PtX Hub, I worked in sustainability consulting as a project manager for two years, where I advised international clients on EU regulations, developed certification concepts, and conducted greenhouse gas emission calculations for fuel supply chains.
Antonio Adolfo Fernández Rodríguez
PtX Sustainability & Certification
Antonio Adolfo Fernández Rodríguez
PtX Sustainability & Certification
Based in Brussels, Belgium.
I am responsible for EU policy and regulatory affairs at PtX Hub, focusing on PtX products. With expertise in dissecting regulations and guiding sustainability initiatives, I specialise in navigating the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism for PtX products.
Christoph Michel
Funding & Investment
Christoph Michel
Funding & Investment
Based in Brussels, Belgium
I enjoy being part of the highly competent and creative start-up team of the PtX Hub. Our mission is to catalyse green hydrogen solutions on a global scale and focusing in particular on sustainable finance along the entire value chain with a holistic end-to-end approach.
My role as Advisor in Funding and Investments is to liaise and partner with international institutions, initiatives, financial industry and individuals engaged in financing in Power-to-X projects or R&D from end-to-end. Prior to working with GIZ, I was Senior Partner at KPMG providing global advice to the financial industry.
My educational background is financial engineering and Socially Responsible Investment Advisor (SRI-Advisor).
Philip Miltrup
PtX Technology
Philip Miltrup
PtX Technology
Based in Bonn, Germany
My personal motivation to work in the field of green hydrogen and PtX technologies is to drive the transformation of carbon-intensive sectors. By generating low-carbon fuels and feedstocks from renewable electricity, we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and thus minimise our environmental footprint. Developing efficient electrolysis processes, integrating renewables into our energy systems, and creating sustainable supply chains are challenges that drive me.
In my role in the PtX Hub, I am mainly responsible for all technical matters such as process engineering and systemic integration of Power-to-X.
Before joining the PtX Hub, I conducted research on green hydrogen production in Kenya and Vietnam and worked as a consultant in environmental and health protection in Germany.
Mascha Kuzay
Country Cooperations Chile, Colombia, Uruguay & Vietnam
Mascha Kuzay
Country Cooperations Chile, Colombia, Uruguay & Vietnam
Based in Berlin, Germany
Sun-Min Kim
Country Cooperations Algeria & India
Sun-Min Kim
Country Cooperations Algeria & India
Based in Bonn, Germany
Since joining the PtX Hub in July 2022, I focus on support activities to our partner countries Algeria and India.
Having worked on governance challenges in the extractives sector for the last five years, my personal interest lies in shaping frameworks and systems that enable countries to balance economic, social and environmental considerations when it comes to large-scale investments.
Before joining the PtX Hub, I was part of the CONNEX Initiative supporting partner countries in contract negotiations in the mining and infrastructure sector.
I studied International Security at Sciences Po Paris and have since worked in Togo, Cameroon, Guinea and the US. Currently, I am completing an LLM in Oil, Gas and Mining at the Nottingham Trent University, as part of which I explore the investment law implications linked to fossil fuel exit scenarios.
Frank Münk
Country Cooperations Argentina, Morocco & South Africa
Frank Münk
Country Cooperations Argentina, Morocco & South Africa
Based in Bonn, Germany
The global energy transition has been the driving force of my professional life from the very beginning. After studying industrial engineering, I worked as project manager in the solar energy industry, on the implementation of international PV and CSP power plants.
Since 2021 I am advisor for PtX and renewable energy at GIZ.
My current role at the International PtX Hub is to support the cooperation activities with Argentina, Morocco and South Africa aiming at the development of local PtX markets, and to advise on PtX technology and sustainability issues.
South America
Stephan Remler
Lead Argentina
Stephan Remler
Lead Argentina
Based in Buenos Aires, Argentina
I work on fostering the development of a local PtX market in Argentina in the mid- and long-term. With this aim in mind, I work together with local experts and institutions involved in PtX and green hydrogen. We are looking into attractive scenarios and applications for PtX in the Argentinean context and support the dialogue between different kinds of stakeholders linked to PtX in Argentina and the region.
Before joining the PtX Hub, I worked several years with GIZ in Chile on strengthening renewable energies as well as with private sector companies in Germany active within the renewable energy sector.
Claudia Ilting
Advisor Argentina
Claudia Ilting
Advisor Argentina
Based in Buenos Aires, Argentina
With its favorable conditions for renewable energy generation, Argentina has great potential to develop sustainable Power-to-X (PtX) markets, reduce import dependency, and create socio-economic benefits. In order to support this process and facilitate the dialogue among the stakeholders in the PtX market, we are working on six key areas, such as conducting a study on allocation scenarios for PtX, conducting technical studies, and organising trainings.
Prior to joining the PtX Hub, I worked as a GIZ Business Scout for Development at the German Argentine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. I have a degree in Business Administration, hold a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development/International Cooperation, and have more than 17 years of international work experience in both the private sector and development cooperation.
Veronica Chorkulak
Technical Advisor Argentina
Veronica Chorkulak
Technical Advisor Argentina
Based in Buenos Aires, Argentina
I support the development of sustainable markets for green hydrogen and PtX as fundamental pieces for Argentina’s energy transition. With our partners, we advise on the development of allocation scenarios for selected PtX products, analysing value chains and providing suggestions to improve the regulatory framework for the production, use and export of PtX products.
I am passionate about promoting sustainability in the energy sector and industry, and I love working as a team to achieve satisfactory results.
I have a Bachelor Degree in Economics, a Master Degree in Environmental Management and a specialisation in the energy sector. Before joining GIZ, I worked at multi-stakeholder initiatives to promote sustainability in supply chains, and at the Secretary of Energy analyzing energy projects from a technical, economic, environmental and regulatory perspective.
Sebastián Murúa
Technical Advisor Argentina
Sebastián Murúa
Technical Advisor Argentina
Based in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Green hydrogen and Power-to-X industries are expected to play an important role in the energy transition, enabling the defossilisation of sectors considered “hard to abate”. However, considering that it is a new field and market, there is a lot of work to be done in terms of technology development, knowledge, business, policies, and regulation.
My professional career has always been related to the energy sector. I have worked for an engineering services company in the Oil & Gas industry and a renewable energy company developing green hydrogen projects. I consider it a privilege to be able to dedicate my effort and time to working for a just energy transition.
The PtX development in Argentina is particularly interesting due to the excellent potential in clean energy, and the possible impact that this industry might have in the country.
Veronica Vukasovic
Senior Advisor Chile & Uruguay
Veronica Vukasovic
Senior Advisor Chile & Uruguay
Based in Santiago, Chile
Accelerating the energy transition by defossilising those sectors that are difficult to electrify is crucial to comply with the Paris agreement, therefore being part of this transformation through the PtX Hub motivates me.
After working for more than 15 years on the promotion of renewable energies and the development of technical and professional capacities in Chile, Argentina and Germany, I am now responsible for the implementation of the PtX Hub’s activities in Chile and Uruguay.
I have a degree in social sciences, and I am a certified project manager.
Diego Messina
Technical Advisor Chile & Uruguay
Diego Messina
Technical Advisor Chile & Uruguay
Based in Santiago de Chile, Chile
Since 2023, I joined the PtX Hub for Chile and Uruguay convinced that the green hydrogen and PtX products are crucial to defossilise end uses that are hard to electrify, and a sustainable alternative for the chemical industry.
Before joining the PtX Hub I worked for five years at the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and The Caribbean (ECLAC) in several interdisciplinary projects regarding themes as green hydrogen, energy analysis and policy development for climate change mitigation and adaptation. In addition, as a contributing journalist, during 2021 I published articles related to the water, mining, and energy sector in The Economist magazine.
My backgorund is in Industrial Engineering and I have a master’s degree in Sustainable Development. Last year I completed a diploma on green hydrogen at the Catholic University of Chile.
Rodrigo Carreño Inostroza
Junior Technical Advisor Chile & Uruguay
Rodrigo Carreño Inostroza
Junior Technical Advisor Chile & Uruguay
Based in Santiago de Chile, Chile
At the PtX Hub, I support the work on water efficiency for the sustainable development of the green hydrogen industry as fundamental for the Just Energy transition. In the PtX Chile-Uruguay team, we analyse water management for the emergent industry looking at different sources, including industrial and municipal wastewater treatment.
I am passionate about promoting sustainability in the energy sector, tending to the efficient use of natural resources, and reducing impacts based on the EESG vision.
With a degree in engineering sciences, I collected experience in civil organisations on developing tools for training young people, enabling them to develop sustainability and environmental policies at national and international levels.
Eva Camus Buchert
Student Assistant Chile & Uruguay
Eva Camus Buchert
Student Assistant Chile & Uruguay
Based in Bonn, Germany
Since joining the PtX Hub in March 2023, I am supporting the PtX Hub activities in Chile and Uruguay. Within my role, I lead the design and implementation of communication strategies in both countries. Additionally, I assist in organising events and meetings to promote our Power-to-X initiatives.
My interest lies in the intersection of energy and social topics, such as the energy transition, social acceptance of renewable energy, and promoting the role of women in the energy sector. I firmly believe in the transformative power of PtX and green hydrogen as tools for catalysing global defossilisation and delivering sustainable solutions to the pressing climate crisis.
Before joining the PtX Hub, I gained experience as an intern at GIZ’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program in Santiago de Chile. After that, I expanded my expertise by working as a consultant for H2LAC, a project focused on the development of green hydrogen in Latin America and the Caribbean.
I hold a degree in Latin American Studies, with a focus on Political Science, from the University of Cologne. Currently, I am beginning my Master’s degree in Environmental, Economic, and Social Sustainability at the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB).
Juan Manuel Salazar Gómez
Technical Advisor Colombia
Juan Manuel Salazar Gómez
Technical Advisor Colombia
Based in Bogotá, Colombia
Since joining the PtX Hub in February 2023, I focus on technical assistance to the Colombian Ministry Mines and Energy. My work focuses on capacity building, relationship management, and technical studies on the identification of hydrogen hubs and PtX potentials, regulatory diagnostics, the complementary hydrogen roadmap, certification recommendations, carbon contracts for difference (CCfD) and others.
I believe that the PtX Hub’s sustainability criteria are fundamental to providing local and national benefits. Even more so in developing countries, where places with the best renewable resources are sometimes those with the greatest environmental, social and economic challenges.
I studied law at the University of Seville (Spain). Today, I feel very proud to be part of a group of people like at the PtX Hub who seek to ensure that the criteria of sustainability and sustainable development are met.
Africa and Middle East
Matthias Rilling
Lead Morocco
Matthias Rilling
Lead Morocco
Based in Berlin, Germany
At the PtX Hub, I focus on Morocco and North Africa. I am convinced that PtX can contribute to the last mile decarbonisation of the economy and that it gives the South’s countries the opportunity to establish a lasting and sustainable industrial sector.
Alexander Mahler
Lead South Africa
Alexander Mahler
Lead South Africa
Based in Pretoria, South Africa
I lead the country component South Africa and advise on synthetic fuels in the PtX Hub. The Hub’s main goal is to catalyse defossilised economies globally. It is funded by the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and implemented by the GIZ.
Before joining GIZ, I was the Deputy Managing Director and Head of Transport Policy at Green Budget Germany, a German environmental think tank, where I focused on economic instruments in air and road transport.
Johannes Arndt
Advisor South Africa
Johannes Arndt
Advisor South Africa
Based in Pretoria, South Africa
PtX technologies hold immense promise in bolstering stable, reliable and defossilised energy systems – qualities that we experience at their limits here in South Africa – day in, day out.
As an economist with a focus on energy- and regulatory economics, my passion are questions on how to create enabling environments to decarbonise our economies – from the renewable’s deployment, along the pathway to PtX consumer ready products.
I joined the International PtX Hub in February 2023 and support our activities in and from South Africa, bringing in hands-on experience with several GIZ energy projects in Ethiopia.
Medinah Willies
Advisor South Africa
Medinah Willies
Advisor South Africa
Based in Pretoria, South Africa
I joined the International PtX Hub in July 2023 and support the activities in and from South Africa. My career has always been driven by the global energy transition. I am excited to have joined the team in South Africa, and to have the opportunity to contribute to making a significant impact in addressing climate change and environmental sustainability. I believe that PtX technologies offer a viable approach to decarbonising various sectors of the economy and mitigating climate change. With continued support and development, PtX technologies can undoubtedly make a significant contribution to a greener future.
With a strong social science background and a Master’s Degree in Organisational and Institutional Studies, I have a particular interest in topics that combine energy and social issues, such as the ‘just’ element of the Just Energy transition and the advancement of women in the energy industry. Prior to joining the PtX Hub, I worked for KfW Entwicklungsbank in Pretoria, where I was responsible for green hydrogen and its link to skills development.
Frank Renken
Lead Algeria
Frank Renken
Lead Algeria
Based in Algiers, Algeria
I am coordinating all activities of the PtX Hub and other projects of GIZ on green hydrogen in Algeria.
Algeria is committed to develop sustainable energy production and reduce green house gases. With a team of highly motivated colleagues, GIZ helps to achieve these goals with technical expertise.
Having worked in the aviation industry, I finished my doctorate in political sciences in the 2000ies with a thesis on Algerian international relations.
Mounir Zerroukhat
Junior Technical Advisor Algeria
Mounir Zerroukhat
Junior Technical Advisor Algeria
Based in Algiers, Algeria
Based in Algeria, I am working for Power-to-X technologies (PtX) as well as green hydrogen promotion and development since November 2022. Our main goal is to implement a suitable framework for a sustainable PtX infrastructure in the country. This could be achieved via organizational and regulatory advice, technical support, knowledge exchange and networking platforms, which we are working for.
I have started my career at GIZ in August 2021, working in a project to enhance waste management systems on a municipal level. I hold a master’s degree in waste management and treatment processes, and graduated in process engineering at Blida university, Algeria.
I believe that the energy transition plays an essential role to assure a sustainable development.
Kevin Mwangi
Advisor Kenya
Kevin Mwangi
Advisor Kenya
Based in Nairobi, Kenya
I am responsible for implementation of the PtX activities in Kenya that focus on the analysis of the potential for PtX concepts in the country, building technical capacity of stakeholders and supporting to build an enabling environment for privates sector involvement in PtX.
Kenya is a renewable energy resource rich country and this provides an opportunity for the defossilisation of our economy through PtX.
Previously, I have been involved in promotion of an enabling environment for the development of variable renewable energy in Kenya. I have a Bachelors in Energy Engineering and am a Certified ReGrid Manager.
Joy Mutanu Nzue
Junior Advisor Kenya
Joy Mutanu Nzue
Junior Advisor
Based in Nairobi, Kenya
I recently joined the International PtX Hub to support the implementation of activities in Kenya. This position is combined with my work in the project power system readiness for grid integration of variable renewable energy (VRE).
Prior to joining the team, I interned with the GIZ in Energy Solutions for displacement settings project, and at Res4Africa Foundation in their various renewable energy solutions for Africa Initiatives. Just Energy Transition and youth participation in climate action are two topics I am passionate about. My academic background includes a bachelor degree in electrical and electronics engineering.
Nooraldeen Balah
Energy Advisor Jordan
Nooraldeen Balah
Energy Advisor Jordan
Based in Amman, Jordan
Green hydrogen and Power-to-X present an intrinsic opportunity to defossilise all sectors of today’s economy.
Since October 2022, I am the PtX Hub Advisor in Jordan. My role is to provide technical and regulatory support to the Ministry of Energy in Jordan as well as to enroll the green hydrogen topic within Jordanian universities.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and I have experience in the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy measures on water and waste water facilities.
Asia
Markus Bissel
Project Director Vietnam
Markus Bissel
Project Director Vietnam
Based in Hanoi, Vietnam
I joined GIZ Vietnam in July 2019 as the team leader of the energy efficiency component. In the meantime, I am also heading the Smart Grid for Renewable and Energy Efficiency Project and the PtX Hub activities in Vietnam.
As a holder of a German diploma in plant engineering and having more than 20 years of professional experience in the municipal and industrial energy sector, I strongly believe that the next step on the global energy transition path will be based on the green hydrogen economy.
Alina Tetzlaff
Private Sector Advisor India
Alina Tetzlaff
Private Sector Advisor India
Based in New Delhi, India
I joined the PtX Hub in India as Private Sector Advisor in September 2022. I am responsible for facilitating collaboration between the private sector, policymakers and research institutes in India and Germany. As part of its efforts to decarbonise its economy, India has ambitions to grow into a global green hydrogen hub.
My goal is to promote knowledge exchange through dialogue and networking platforms and ensure that perspectives of partner countries, such as India, are heard globally. I hold a master’s degree in political science and public administration from the University of Konstanz. I look forward to being part of the PtX Hub and working towards achieving the global energy transition.
Divya Joshi
Junior Communication Specialist
Divya Joshi
Junior Communication Specialist
Based in New Delhi, India
I joined the team in November 2022 with the responsibility of supporting communication activities for PtX Hub India.
India is on its journey to emerge as a global champion in green hydrogen and it is fascinating to see its ambitious drive towards becoming self-reliant through clean energy. Besides handling communications, I am also responsible for extending administrative support to two of the subworking groups of the Indo-German Green Hydrogen Taskforce.
I did my Master’s in English Literature and Post Graduate diploma in Advertising and Marketing Communication. Prior to my current role, I managed communication and outreach activities for a public policy think tank based in New Delhi.
Portraits of Torsten Schwab, Frank Mischler, Maren Schöttler, Heino von Meyer, Ruth Barbosa, Elisabeth Kriegsmann, Jan-Hendrik Scheyl, Philip Miltrup, Mascha Kuzay and Frank Münk by Sandra Kühnapfel.
