Our Team
Meet the people
making it happen.
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.
Charlotte Hussy
International PtX Use Cases
Charlotte Hussy
International PtX Use Cases
Based in Berlin, Germany
I advise on sustainable e-fuels and feedstocks and support the implementation of the International Power-to-X Hub. With our partners, we identify PtX business cases and initiate projects. My goal is a sustainable production, sourcing and allocation of PtX inputs, processes and products, as well as global win-win partnerships. I’m passionate about sustainable transport and love to use my bicycle for commuting regardless of weather conditions and baggage dimensions. Before joining GIZ, I worked for five years at Ecofys/Navigant – a consultancy for the energy transition – and at the Electric Power Research Institute in Palo Alto (USA) on energy storage.
Maren Schöttler
Communications
Maren Schöttler
Communications
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
Trainings & Capacity Development
Th. Elmar Schuppe
Trainings & Capacity 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.
Elisabeth Kriegsmann
Trainings
Elisabeth Kriegsmann
Training Concepts
Based in Berlin, Germany
In May 2021, I joined the International PtX Hub Berlin, 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 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.
Heino von Meyer
Global Relations & Networking
Heino von Meyer
Global Relations & Networking
Based in Berlin, Germany
I enjoy being part of the highly competent and creative start-up team of the International PtX Hub Berlin. 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.
Sonia Rueda
Chemical Industry
Sonia Rueda
Chemical Industry
Based in Berlin, Germany
Manuel Andresh
Sustainable Chemistry
Manuel Andresh
Sustainable Chemistry
Based in Bonn, Germany
I advise the PtX Hub on Power-to-X in the chemical industry.
In the past years, I have been working on the sustainability assessment of Power-to-X technologies and developed a special interest in their social and ecological sustainability aspects in the context of locations around the world.
I studied Life Cycle & Sustainability at Pforzheim University and currently pursue my doctorate at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.
Mascha Kuzay
PtX Pathways
Mascha Kuzay
PtX Pathways
Based in Berlin, Germany
Alexander Mahler
Component Lead South Africa & Aviation
Alexander Mahler
Component Lead South Africa & Aviation
Based in Pretoria, South Africa
I lead the country component South Africa and advise on synthetic fuels in the International PtX Hub in Berlin. 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.
Matthias Rilling
Component Lead Morocco
Matthias Rilling
Component Lead Morocco
Based in Berlin, Germany
I work for the PtX Pathways programme, where 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.
Stephan Remler
Component Lead Argentina
Stephan Remler
Component 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.
Veronica Chorkulak
PtX Pathways Argentina
Veronica Chorkulak
PtX Pathways 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, analyzing 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 Specialization 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.
Sebastian Retuerto
PtX Pathways Argentina
Sebastian Retuerto
PtX Pathways Argentina
Based in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Nature lover, strong advocate for sustainable resource management and passionate about energy. I am part of Power to X Pathways, a GIZ project aimed at developing sustainable hydrogen/PtX markets and contributing to accelerate the global energy transition and reduce the GHG emissions across different sectors.
My current role is to support the deployment of the project in Argentina, my home country, working alongside the national government and other key stakeholders. Responsible for the implementation of the programme, my role spans the planning and management of various activities, including the development of allocation scenarios, delineation of regulatory frameworks, and coordination with strategic partners among others.
I am an economist with an MSc. in Energy, Environmental Technology and Economics (City, University of London). Prior to joining GIZ, I worked for the Argentinean Ministry of Energy and Mining and the national oil company of Argentina, YPF S.A. , and provided advisory services to various projects on wind and solar energy.
Carla Reihle
Student Assistant
Carla Reihle
Student assistant in the field of Climate Protection through PtX Based in Bonn, Germany
Meeting the commitments under the Paris agreement, innovative and sustainable solutions like Power-to-X are needed. Therefore, I am very excited to work for GIZ. I will support the team by analysing the PtX potentials of selected countries to target a sustainable and long-term decarbonisation of all sectors. Before joining the Changing Transport team, I gained experience in the transport sector supporting Daimler AG with the implementation of Well-to- Wheel analyses. Additionally, I wrote a concept study for GIZ on a solar powered E-Bike rental to improve the mobility in rural Namibia.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering and am currently a Master’s student at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna. I am very happy to join the team and contribute to a sustainable development where no one is left behind.
Edward Beales
Young Professional
Edward Beales
Young professional at the International PtX Hub Berlin,
Based in Berlin, Germany
As a Young Professional at GIZ’s International PtX Hub in Berlin, I am working particularly closely with the Strategic Partnerships for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement (SPIPA) project in relation to the EU’s climate diplomacy with G20 states.
I am currently a Master of International Affairs (MIA) candidate at the Hertie School in Berlin, where I am specialising in Security and Sustainability. I hold a Master of Arts (Hons) in International Relations and Modern History from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. During my studies, I have interned at the European Commission’s DG DEVCO, which formulates the EU’s international development policy.
Amine Rhouma
Intern
Amine Rhouma
Intern
Based in Bonn, Germany
I joined the International PtX Hub Berlin in May 2021 and support the team in forecasting challenges to green hydrogen, ammonium, and methanol production in North Africa.
I am currently studying my master’s degree in Process Technology at the Technical University Cottbus in Brandenburg, where I focus on the intersection between chemical processes, industrialisation and the environment. Before joining the PtX team, I gained experience in the industrial energy sector working as an Intern in Euro-k GmbH and Tunisian Chemical Group.
Lukas Peiler
Intern
Lukas Peiler
Intern
Based in Bonn, Germany
I strongly believe in the importance of Power-to-X for a carbon-neutral future. Therefore, I am happy to have joined the International PtX Hub Berlin as an intern in July 2021. As a student of energy engineering, my role in the PtX Hub is mainly of technical nature. This involves e.g., the implementation of calculation tools regarding the application of Power-to-X.
Nadya Rauch
Intern
Nadya Rauch
Intern
Based in Berlin, Germany
I joined the International PtX Hub Berlin in June 2021 and am currently studying my master’s at University College London with a focus on environmental policy and climate change. I am particularly interested in the intersection between industry, policy, and the environment, and how to achieve a carbon-neutral economy.
PtX products will play a vital role in achieving this goal. Therefore, as someone with a passion for sustainability and climate action, I am very excited to be working with the PtX Hub team towards decarbonising fossil-fuel dependent sectors including aviation, maritime transport, and other heavy industries.
Lilian Bankiyan-Monfard
Intern Communications
Based in Berlin, Germany
I am responsible for supporting the implementation of communication strategies and developing our social media channels at the PtX Hub Berlin and Women in Green Hydrogen.
I’m particularly interested in the intersection between renewable energy solutions, labour markets, and migration, and am excited to leverage awareness of PtX and amplify the voices of women in the green hydrogen sector.
My professional background includes the development of social housing policy for the British government, communications and fundraising in the international development sector, and raising brand visibility for small startups and NGOs. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Geography and International Relations from the University of Exeter, and am currently studying for my master’s in Migration and Diaspora Studies at SOAS, University of London.
