11 July 2024 - In the rapidly evolving field of geothermal energy, researchers like Val Abecia exemplify the transformative potential of mobility and collaboration. Originally from the Philippines and now pursuing a PhD in Geology in Belgium, Val has built a career that bridges continents and disciplines. With over a decade of experience in geothermal geochemistry, a Master’s degree in Germany, and ongoing research on radioactive mineral scales at KU Leuven, his journey underscores the importance of international exchange in advancing scientific breakthroughs. 

In this interview, Val shares his experiences leveraging the EERA JP GEO Mobility Grant to overcome resource limitations, conduct high-pressure experiments in Germany, and network with Europe’s leading geothermal experts.

Gloria: Hello Val, tell me everything about you!

Val: My name is Val Abecia. I am originally from the Philippines and my background is in Geology. I started my career in the geothermal energy industry as an exploration geochemist for a geothermal energy developer in the Philippines, spanning an experience of 12 years. That's where I specialized in geothermal geochemistry. Within that 12 years, I was fortunate enough to be sent to Germany for Master’s degree by my former employer. Continuing on the geothermal energy track, now I am based in Belgium, doing my PhD in Geology. I am now studying the influence of organic matter from chemical inhibitors and natural organic matter (NOM) from the rocks on the formation of radioactive mineral scales in geothermal energy installations. My home institution is the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN). I am also concurrently affiliated with the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), and my university is KU Leuven. 

Gloria: Tell me something about your Mobiity Grant Experience. 

Val: The mobility grant was really a key to have access to facilities and equipment that I need for my PhD,  since we have limitations here in my home institution in terms of scheduling and availability. So I had to find a way to conduct my experiments in the lab of my co-promoter in GFZ, Potsdam in Germany. These experiments that I conducted consist a huge part of the objectives of my PhD study. It basically involved high temperature and pressure experiments in autoclaves, to observe Pb fractionation or scavenging in particulate organic matter (POM), and the thermal degradation of chemical inhibitors at simulated geothermal line conditions.   

The experience was really interesting and challenging at the same time, because it was 3 months of jam-packed experiments. Maybe it was a little bit my fault that I packed so much in the three months, but in in any case, the grant really enabled me to potentially finish a huge part of my PhD study. It also did not just help me on a technical level, as it also enabled me to network with the primary geothermal experts here in Europe. Right now, I have the opinion that the current centre of innovations in geothermal science in mainland Europe are the institutions in Germany. A lot of research and development, innovations and technological advancements are happening there, and they have decades of experience. With the grant I was able to get in contact and reconnect with previous colleagues working still on geothermal energy. I was able to get their thoughts and their expert opinions, which helped me improve the structure and refine certain aspects of my experiments.  

I would say that without the EERA geothermal grant, there would have  been a significant delay, since I would have had to wait for months here in my home institution. A lot of people also want to use the autoclaves and there is a long queue. So I'm really thankful that I was given this opportunity and that I was awarded this mobility grant.  

I'm still waiting for some of the results of the experiments I did, but based on what I have now I could already say that it was really productive 3 months. I am hoping to get meaningful results and hopefully publish them in the end.  

"The grant was really an enabler for my PhD. Without it, I would have faced significant delays due to equipment availability at my home institution. It also helped me network with top geothermal experts in Europe, which greatly refined my research."

Gloria: What were your main challenges and how did you overcome them? 

Val: The maximum length of the mobility grant that was awarded to me was 3 months or basically 12 weeks. In that 12 weeks I initially planned 60 cycles of my experiments, not including the IR spectroscopy that I also intended to do. So it was really too much, and I was very optimistic. Of course, as a nature of these experiments not everything goes smoothly. Technical difficulties such as leakages and equipment breakdown are indeed normal for high temperature and high pressure experiments. Hence, not everything went as planned. 

In relation to the mobility grant, I wouldn't say that it was challenging to apply. In fact it was quite easy. Most of the challenges were mainly logistic in nature, especially in Berlin and Potsdam, where finding affordable accommodations is difficult. I believe that there should also be a price indexation depending on where the travel/mobility is going to be. In terms of accommodation, it was really difficult to find an affordable short term place to stay that I had to  move 3 times within that 3 months.   

It would be really nice if EERA also has a network or a facility to assist people to find accommodations within their network. But overall, the accommodation and the transportation allowance that I got was, I would say was sufficient to conduct my work.  

Gloria: How did you find yourself with the bureaucracy, the administrative part?

Val: The administrative parts within EERA,  I had no problem, as it was actually fast when it came to review, processing, and decisions.  As I have said, the logistics where the mobility was done was the main challenge in my case, perhaps because of the current situation of Berlin/Potsdam. 

If you're staying on the short term, the price range €950-1000 for a room in a shared flat. The owners usually prefer those who stay on a longer term. In the end, it becomes less difficult even if you are in the outskirts of the city, since the transportation network is really good. 

"I always tell other PhDs about the mobility grant—it’s a chance to broaden your network and gain fresh perspectives. Geothermal research is collaborative by nature, and connecting with experts outside your institution prevents tunnel vision." 

Gloria: How would you encourage other PhD researchers students to take part into the mobility grant? 

Val: I would say that it really beneficial for a researcher to connect with other researchers outside your home institution.  In the end, it is a fruitful endeavour to hear perspectives and ideas from experts outside your network, which helps prevent you to fall into the trap of tunnel visioning. 

In Potsdam, I talked to several Masters and PhD students and I told them about the mobility grant. I encouraged them to write a proposal and submit an application. Even in the previous EGW in the Netherlands, I also talked to several PhDs and told them that I got a travel grant. 

I am thankful that I was awarded the mobility grant.  The grant is an enabler for PhD students like me to conduct their research and without it would have been a very difficult. 

Stay tuned for more insights from researchers like Val, whose dedication and innovation continue to shape the future of renewable energy.