In a world where national security depends not only on tanks and missiles but also on transmission cables, LNG terminals, and supply chains, two students from the University of Łódź decided to bridge theory with practice. Ernest Caban and Wiktor Zachtej, political science students from the Faculty of International and Political Studies, created the project “The Geopolitics of New Challenges: Energy and Security.” The initiative combines research on the energy transition with analyses of the defense industry and logistics. With the support of a grant, they are developing a project that aims to go beyond the university walls towards cooperation with international partners, public institutions, and the private sector.

Project Concept

The starting point of the project is the experience of the war in Ukraine and the resulting reflection on the fragility of modern energy systems. The conflict demonstrated that attacks on energy infrastructure can paralyze a state’s functioning as effectively as conventional military operations. Ernest and Wiktor focus particularly on the risks of highly centralized energy networks, where a single damaged node can cause a domino effect across the entire country.

In response, they propose the concept of “energy federalization,” building decentralized networks based on local energy sources, particularly biogas and biofuels. In their view, cooperative biogas plants, biomass installations, and local energy communities could form the foundation of true energy resilience, built on multiple interconnected generation points rather than a few large, vulnerable facilities.

Another pillar of the initiative is the study of defense industry development and its supply chains. Rapid modernization of the armed forces in Poland and the EU, new procurement programs, and the rise of dual use technologies create a domain where politics, economics, and logistics intersect every day. The students examine how defense supply chains are designed, what risks they face, and how political decisions translate into concrete processes of procurement, storage, and production.

Their concept merges a political science perspective with knowledge from supply chain management and investment financing. They develop their skills through certified courses in renewable energy, biomass, and energy systems, applying this knowledge to research analyses, educational materials, and practical solution proposals.

Renewable Energy and Biogas

In the field of renewable energy, the project focuses on biofuels, biogas, and biomass based systems. The students take part in courses covering renewable energy investment design and financing, life cycle analysis LCA, cost effectiveness of energy installations, and climate policy support mechanisms.

The “Renewable Energy Management & Finance” course provides them with tools to handle renewable energy projects, from sustainable design concepts and financing mechanisms FiT, RHI, ROC, CfD, PPA, ESCO, EPC to risk management and advanced techno economic calculations energy, emissions, NPV, IRR. This knowledge is complemented by modules on international funding programs and case studies from different markets.

In parallel, the “Biomass” training enhances their competence in designing, implementing, and evaluating biomass based systems, from anaerobic digestion and biomethane production, through gasification and pyrolysis, to dual fuel designs. Modules on resource selection, storage, energy efficiency, environmental analysis, and financial instruments such as RHI and MCS help them view biomass not only as a technology but as a complete business model.

The result of this component is the preparation of a guidebook for municipalities, energy cooperatives, and entrepreneurs. The publication aims to clearly integrate technical and economic knowledge with regulatory recommendations, showing how to establish and operate cooperative biogas and biofuel installations in practice.

Defense Industry and Supply Chains

The second focus of the project concerns the defense industry and its supply chains. The students analyze the development and structure of Europe’s defense production centers, logistical connections between producers, component suppliers, and end users, and the impact of geopolitical factors on supply stability.

A key part of building these competencies is participation in the 13th Global Supply Chain and Logistics Summit in the Netherlands. The event focuses on defense procurement management, challenges in defense supply chains, industry standards, demand planning, inventory optimization, and supplier collaboration. Participants examine supply continuity, cost management, compliance, and the use of innovative logistics and analytical tools. The summit also includes modules on global security challenges, the institutional framework of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy, cooperation mechanisms PESCO, CARD, and crisis response strategies. Workshops with EU officials, military officers, diplomats, and experts combine perspectives from international law, strategic planning, and emerging technologies.

For the project, this means the ability to translate discussions at the EU level into analyses of Poland’s defense industry and its position within European supply networks, from high politics to concrete procurement processes.

Conferences and Knowledge Sharing

The project has a strong conference and dissemination component. Ernest and Wiktor took part in the Students Energy Summit 2026 in Brazil, where they presented the idea of biogas cooperatives as a tool for strengthening local energy security. This allowed them to compare Polish experiences with solutions applied in other parts of the world and to build connections with young energy leaders.

Their next step is participating in the 4th International Scientific Conference “Energy in the Context of Law, Economics, and Security Studies.” Their presentation focuses on renewable energy project management, financing models, life cycle assessment of biofuel installations, and the role of regulations RED II and RED III, certification systems, and support mechanisms in shaping the market.

In this way, the project combines conceptual work with active engagement in the academic community, through participation in conferences and networking with experts, public administration, and business representatives.

Student Profiles and Collaboration Potential

Ernest Caban and Wiktor Zachtej combine political science training with expertise in renewable energy, investment financing, and defense logistics. Their project covers:

• research on energy security and renewable energy transition
• analysis of the defense industry and its supply chains
• development of a handbook for local stakeholders
• participation in certified industry courses
• presentations at international conferences and building cooperation networks

With such a profile, “The Geopolitics of New Challenges: Energy and Security” offers an attractive platform for collaboration with international partners, universities, research institutes, NGOs, and entities from the energy and defense sectors. It opens space for joint research, exchange of experience, workshops, training sessions, and co creation of practical policy recommendations for decision makers in the fields of energy and security.

World Biofuels, Ethanol & Feedstocks Conference

Two of our students, Ernest Caban and Wiktor Zachtej, recently took part in the prestigious World Biofuels, Ethanol & Feedstocks Conference in Barcelona, organized by S&P Global. The trip was part of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education project “Supporting Students in Developing Their Competences and Skills – Second Edition,” implemented under the initiative “The Geopolitics of New Challenges: Energy and Security.”

During the conference, they expanded their knowledge of global biofuel policy, modern waste refining technologies, and innovative renewable energy solutions.

World Biofuels, Ethanol & Feedstocks is one of the most influential events in the global biofuels industry calendar. Organized by the renowned institutions Platts and F.O. Licht, it serves as a unique forum for exchanging knowledge, contacts, and strategic visions for the future of renewable energy.

The training covers key aspects of the industry:

• production technologies for first and second generation biofuels including SAF
• characteristics of different types of feedstocks agricultural, waste based, synthetic
• life cycle, emission, and energy efficiency analyses
• value chains and production logistics models

Participants also explore current legislation and industry standards:

• implementation of the RED II and RED III directives across different countries
• certification systems for sustainable sourcing such as ISCC and RSB
• public support mechanisms and GHG emission reporting tools

This is crucial knowledge for those seeking to operate lawfully, secure funding, or export their products. The course includes real world case studies such as:

• integration models of biofuels with the agricultural or energy sector
• examples of cooperation with the aviation and maritime industries
• profitability analyses for different types of production facilities

Through this course, participants:

• gain skills for conducting analyses, planning investments, and preparing projects
• develop competencies in ESG reporting and climate risk management
• build a professional profile suited for work in the energy transition sector

Training on Biogas Plant Construction and Maintenance Nairobi, Kenya

The training on biogas plant construction and maintenance provided an in depth look into biogas technology as a sustainable energy solution. During practical sessions, participants learned about the technical aspects of biogas facility construction and upkeep, from site assessment and system design to daily operations and troubleshooting. The course offered specialized knowledge in design, construction, and maintenance of biogas installations, supporting the development of decentralized energy systems, especially in rural areas. It demonstrated how to convert organic waste agricultural, municipal, animal into clean energy and fertilizer, strengthening local decarbonization and waste reduction strategies. The training gathered participants from various African countries and other regions, creating an opportunity to build international networks and exchange experiences in renewable energy and biotechnology.