The day began with a trip to the company Nano Energies, a growing company of 130 employees that models energy with aggregation by controlling the capacity at which devices operate such as biogas stations, biomass stations, small power plants, generators, lights, compressors, and refrigeration devices. One of the central ideas was that they use the consumer’s input to create a model to keep the energy production and consumption at equilibrium. For example, in a greenhouse, they would meet with the botanist to discuss the duration and strength of the lights, and then develop the system to equilibrate the energy expended by the lights from there. It was interesting to talk to the representatives about their predictions for the expansion of the company and how they plan to use renewable energy sources. Also, check out their green roof. Take notes, Benedum.

We then visited the National Technical Museum (Národní technické muzeum), the largest institution dedicated to preserving information and artifacts related to the history of technology in the Czech Republic. We saw some old cars, planes, and trains, but I found the astrology exhibit the most interesting. I was fascinated at the fact that physicists created devices to tell time using the sun.

We ended the night with our boat cruise on the Vltava. The food was great, and we all had fun standing outside, telling stories, and laughing, even though the wind was freezing. I am thankful for the group of people on this trip. We are all very different, but get along quite well. These relationships will get carried back to Pittsburgh. Though we’ve known each other less than two weeks, we will remain friends because of the memories we made.