Felix Bräuer studied environmental engineering at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg. He came to this decision when he was on a working holiday in Canada. He was able to enjoy the incredibly beautiful nature with his current wife, paddled 750 kilometres along the Yukon, hiked the West Coast Trail, worked in Banff National Park, explored the whales on the east coast between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and got to know indigenous peoples. No matter how remote the places were, they ALL
had one thing in common: man has left his mark. The glaciers were already melting, the rainforests were damaged by increasingly extreme weather, the whale population and biodiversity were declining. This was the point in Felix Bräuer's life when he decided to do his bit and contribute to a better future! During his studies, he specialised in renewable energies and later worked as a project manager at SachsenSolar AG. He and his small family used his parental leave to travel with the wind on a sailing boat. After his return, he began working for SOLARWATT. First as a training manager, then in field sales and since 2017 as Vice President Sales. Since 2023, he has also been an authorised signatory (General Manager) and has personnel responsibility for several hundred people.

Question: You studied in Freiberg. What made you decide to study at the Bergakademie? 
I have always had a great interest in natural sciences and engineering and wanted to make my contribution to the energy transition and found the right degree programme in Freiberg. In 2007, I started the
Bachelor's degree course in Environmental Engineering in the winter semester, specialising in decentralised energy and thermal insulation.

What did you learn during your studies in Freiberg that particularly helps you in your current (research) work? 

For me, it's especially the basics for engineers that help every day. In my case, it's engineering mechanics, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.

What lasting memories do you associate with your time at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg? 
I particularly remember a wonderful class of people with whom I am still very close, either as friends or now
as colleagues. Otherwise, it is the methodological competence to solve problems.

When you look back on your studies with the knowledge you have today: is there anything you would do differently or what you would pay attention to? 
On the whole, I am happy with my studies - a little more practice in the field of renewable energies would certainly not have gone amiss.
 

What would you like to give current students in Freiberg as a tip?
We need more fighters for the energy transition, specialise in one of the many fields of work in this area and then enjoy a job with purpose!

What do you find particularly interesting about your current job? 
Every day is different, exciting and brings new challenges. There is no boredom, just a great feeling of being able to make a small contribution to the energy transition.

Do you still have professional or private contacts with TU Bergakademie Freiberg today?
I currently have no direct points of contact with TU Bergakademie, but I was able to welcome back many of my former fellow students as colleagues at SOLARWATT.

Finally, can you tell us your life motto?
I don't have a direct "motto", but to use Hermann Hesse's words from my favourite poem, Stufen: "Jedem Anfang wohnt ein Zauber inne...."