Students from the first Energy Engineering program in Bahia, at the Federal University of Recôncavo (UFRB), Feira de Santana campus, have adapted a Kombi van, equipping it with a solar panel on the roof to generate renewable energy. This innovation powers a refrigerator, a stove, and a sink, demonstrating a practical application of solar energy.

The Kombi Home was showcased at the International Brazil Energy Meeting (iBEM 25), held from March 25 to 27 at the Salvador Convention Center, an event that fosters the integration of various energy sources.

According to Professor Roberto Câmara, from the Energy Engineering program, the Kombi project was initially developed by a former student and later implemented by undergraduate students. "This is a practical way to show students a simple solution for harnessing solar energy," he stated.

Professor Luciano Hocevar explained that similar energy engineering courses began about 20 years ago in Rio Grande do Sul as an initiative to promote renewable energy production.

Established in 2016, the UFRB Energy Engineering program, housed at the Center for Science and Technology in Energy and Sustainability (CETENS), has already produced several professionals registered with CREA (Regional Engineering and Agronomy Council). "We work with energy in its broadest sense, covering fossil fuels, solar, wind, biomass, and many other sources," Hocevar emphasized.

The job market for graduates is diverse, offering opportunities in academia, entrepreneurship, or employment in the energy sector. "Some of our former students have started their own businesses installing solar panels," Hocevar noted.

To provide hands-on experience, Professor Câmara mentioned that students visit the Caetité wind farm every semester to observe wind energy systems in operation.

Regarding infrastructure, the program boasts a new electro-electronics laboratory, an energy lab, and a mini solar power plant, with plans to install a wind power facility soon. However, Professor Hocevar highlighted the need for energy companies to comply with regulations requiring them to invest part of their revenue in sector research, offering the university as a partner to expand and enhance its laboratories.

One of the students, Henrique Lima, 21, currently in his sixth semester, has already set his sights on a career in wind energy. "The course is broad and covers not just electricity but also other energy forms, such as biofuels," he said, inspired by his visit to the Caetité wind farm.