Research Institute for Sustainability Helmholtz Centre Potsdam

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M. Sc. Maximilian Rischer

Research Associate

Phone

+49 331 6264-3324

E-Mail

maximilian [dot] rischer [at] rifs-potsdam [dot] de

Maximilian Rischer has been a Research Associate at RIFS since September 2024, contributing to the project "Geopolitics of the Energy Transformation: Sustainability Governance in the Hydrogen Sector." His work centers on analyzing governance structures to support hydrogen's role as a sustainable energy carrier, going beyond CO₂ reduction. He examines institutional and national approaches to sustainability standards and policies, identifying opportunities, synergies, as well as weaknesses and gaps.

Before joining RIFS, he conducted extensive research on the hydrogen economy in Namibia, analyzing its primary drivers, beneficiaries, and potential impacts on the environment and local communities - initially while researching for his Master thesis and later as a DAAD fellow in Namibia.

Maximilian Rischer also has project management experience with an international engineering firm specializing in global energy infrastructure and hydrogen production. In addition to a Master's in Environmental and Social Sciences from KTH in Stockholm, he holds degrees in Industrial Engineering and Management, having studied in Munich, Augsburg, Buenos Aires, and St. Petersburg.

Groups

  • Since 09/2024: Research Associate working for the project "Geopolitics of the Energy Transformation: Sustainability Governance in the Hydrogen Sector" "
  • 03/2024 - 05/2024: DAAD Fellow, Ethnographic Research in Namibia on the Political Ecology of Green Hydrogen
  • 2021 - 2023: M.Sc. in Sustainable Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm
  • 2019 - 2021: Work in Project Management and Planning of Energy Infrastructure at globally leading engineering firm in Munich
  • 2017 - 2019: M.Eng. Engineering and Management, University of Applied Sciences Munich
  • 2013 - 2017: B. Eng. International Management and Engineering, Technical University Augsburg

  • Sustainability and Governance in the Global Hydrogen Economy *Just Energy Transition and Environmental Justice
  • Political Ecology of the Energy Transition: Hydrogen in Namibia, Germany, and in the global context
  • Trandisciplinary Research Methods

  • DAAD Fellowship - 2024