Winners of the
GDA Young Talent Award

Winners of the GDA Young Talent Award

Category: Doctorate

2024: Dr. Paula Marlene Wenzel
PhD Thesis | University of Stuttgart

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Assessment of Cooling Towers

2023: Dr. Dirk Turek
PhD Thesis | University of Stuttgart

Site selection for Data Centers Considering the Total Cost of Ownership - A Framework for Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis

In his doctoral thesis, Dr. Dirk Turek developed a comprehensive cost model for forecasting and selecting data center locations. His model incorporates variable factors such as transportation access, workforce availability, and environmental aspects, as well as constant factors like IT hardware and electricity costs. The aim was to create a practical and applicable model for real-world use.

Category: Master's Thesis

2024: Emre Öksüz
M.Sc. | Kiel University

GreenTech: Efficiency Benchmarking of Cloud-Native Applications in Kubernetes

2023: Ruben Glowzcak
M.Sc. | Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences

How machine learning helps to improve power monitoring systems

Ruben Glowczak, in his master’s thesis, explored how the interplay between Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning can enhance the interpretation of power monitoring data in data centers. His work provided valuable insights into how energy input monitoring can be carried out more efficiently with less personnel.

[Translate to Englisch:] Tobias Schiffmann

2022: Tobias Schiffmann
M.Sc. Softwaretechnik | University of Stuttgart / HPE

Processor Frequency Sweet Spot Prediction based on Dynamic Code Analysis

In 2022, Tobias Schiffmann won the award in the category “Best Master’s Thesis” with his thesis submitted at the University of Stuttgart. His work in the field of software investigated how dynamic code analysis can be used to predict the energy-optimal power limit of processors through artificial intelligence.

Category: Bachelor's Thesis

2024: Martine Mirabella Meyer
B.Sc. | Hochschule RheinMain

Erfolgsfaktoren der Projektentwicklung von Rechenzentren

Category: Student Research Projects

2024: Justin Bürger
Student Research Project | TU Dresden

Modelling and Analysis of Somitogenesis - Towards Reproducibility of Research Data using a Model Repository

[Translate to Englisch:] Phillip Riegger

2023: Phillip Riegger
M.Sc. Energy Engineering | University of Stuttgart

Techno-economic analysis of waste heat utilization from data centers

Philipp Riegger was recognized for his student research at the Institute of Energy Economics and Rational Energy Use at the University of Stuttgart. The jury honored his analysis and calculations of various forecasting models for different scenarios of waste heat utilization from data centers for heat supply.

Category: Special Award “Sustainable Data Centers”

2023: Julian Hauber
M.Sc. | JH-Computers GmbH

Innovative data center concept with renewable energies, CHP, absorption cooling and waste heat utilisation

Julian Hauber set pioneering and sustainable impulses for the industry by implementing and operating a climate-neutral data center in the Ostalb region. For the insights gained and processed, he received the GDA Young Talent Award in the category Start-up/Sustainability.

2022: Tim Grothey
M.Sc. Industrial Engineering – Energy and Environmental Resources | HTW Berlin / HWR Berlin

Climate-neutral data centers: What measures will data centers need to take to achieve climate neutrality by 2030? An assessment of flexible self-production of renewable energy and waste heat utilization in data centers

Tim Grothey received the Special Award “Sustainable Data Centers” in 2022, reflecting the GDA's recognition of the topic’s importance for the industry. In his master’s thesis at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (HTW Berlin) and the Berlin School of Economics and Law, he analyzed the measures required to achieve climate neutrality in data center operations by 2030. His work placed particular emphasis on potential solutions involving flexible in-house production of renewable energy and the utilization of waste heat.

Short Presentation of the Thesis

Category: Start-up

2022: Thomas Weber
Co-Founder / Head of Data Science | ETA-lytics GmbH

AI-supported optimization of cooling systems in data centers

In 2022, Thomas Weber, Co-Founder and Head of Data Science at ETA-lytics GmbH, received the award in the “Start-up” category. His company, a 2020 spin-off of the ETA Factory at TU Darmstadt, impressed the jury with its concept for AI-driven optimization of cooling systems in data centers.