This summer, three master’s students from France — Arnaud Duchâteau, Tony Alloza, and Guillaume Ardi — are doing internships at the Laboratory of Combustion Processes of the Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI). They came to Lithuania to gain international experience and to get closer insight into scientific research in the field of energy.
Different Universities – Common Direction
Arnaud Duchâteau and Guillaume Ardi study energy engineering at Polytech Orléans, specializing in aerospace technologies. Meanwhile, Tony Alloza is a chemical engineering student at the National Graduate School of Chemical, Materials and Process Engineering (Toulouse INP-ENSIACET).
“My studies require a three-month internship abroad. I wanted to do it in Eastern Europe — I was interested in Lithuania and Poland, and while browsing online, I found the LEI Combustion Processes Laboratory. I knew that last year the lab had already hosted an intern from France, so I decided to try myself,” says T. Alloza, who started his internship in June.
A. Duchâteau and G. Ardi arrived in Lithuania at the beginning of the year as Erasmus+ program students. They studied for one semester at Vilnius TECH University and started their internship at LEI after completing the semester.
“We wanted to get to know Eastern Europe, as this is a region hardly known in France. This experience helped us not only deepen our academic knowledge and practical skills but also get acquainted with a new culture, people, daily life, and a different scientific and work environment. It was both an academic and personal experience we will remember,” says A. Duchâteau.
G. Ardi revealed that their decision to come to Lithuania was influenced not only by the desire to discover a new country but also by recommendations from acquaintances.
“Arnaud and I know a French student who did an internship at LEI last year — he studies at our university but is a year older. The former LEI intern shared his positive experience, which encouraged us to choose this institute as well. Also, we wanted to do the internship near Vilnius, where we studied for half a year, so we could coordinate our final exams and the internship. LEI seemed like a great opportunity,” he explains.
Experiencing Laboratory Life
During the internship, the students contribute to two different projects. One of them is “Sustainable Glass Industry with Fuel-Flexible Technology” (GIFFT), which aims to replace fossil fuels used in glass melting processes with alternative, low-carbon energy sources. The second project, “Investigation of thermal radiation enhancement from alternative fuel flames in industrial furnaces” (RAD2FUN), involves plasma-assisted combustion of ammonia and other alternative fuels. Initially, the interns reviewed scientific literature and then moved on to practical experiments related to combustion processes and plasma parameters.
“We conducted experiments with ammonia, CO₂, and methane, adjusting plasma frequency and voltage to study and understand the combustion processes in more detail. We worked with various experimental equipment — sensitive sensors, a specialized camera capturing combustion development, and analytical software for processing the collected data. It was not only interesting but also a very valuable experience,” revealed A. Duchâteau.
T. Alloza is glad that the lab work allowed him to apply the knowledge he gained during his chemical engineering studies. “Fundamentals of analytical chemistry, physics knowledge, and the ability to analyze data proved especially useful. I had never worked in a research laboratory before, so this experience was extremely valuable — both for professional development and my planned career in industry,” he says.
Business or Science?
The internship at LEI prompted the students to rethink their future plans. G. Ardi admitted that he previously planned not to continue his studies but is now considering pursuing a PhD. He was impressed by the world of scientific research, lab work, experiments, and data analysis.
Working in the lab left a positive impression on A. Duchâteau as well — he is considering continuing a scientific career. However, he admits that it is difficult in France to find a PhD topic that matches both personal interests and financial possibilities. So, at the moment, he is still weighing his options — he would like to work in a lab, but practical considerations will influence his decision.
T. Alloza already works as an engineer at a paper mill in France and plans to continue his industrial career after graduation. Nevertheless, he regards the LEI internship as a valuable and unique experience.
“Not many have the opportunity to work in a high-level scientific laboratory, especially abroad. I learned a lot — this is a significant experience that will help me in the future, no matter which path I choose,” he confidently states.
Recommendations to Others
The interns are pleased with the internship conditions at LEI and their time spent in Lithuania. According to T. Alloza, both the institute’s staff and the people they met outside were kind and always ready to help, so the students never felt alone.
“LEI left a great impression due to its modern laboratories, conferences we attended during the internship, and sincere attention to students. We had the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally,” says T. Alloza.
The students were especially impressed by the scale and infrastructure of the institute. During the internship, they visited not only the lab where they worked but also other scientific subdivisions, learned about various research directions, and saw technical equipment.
“It was impressive not only because of the LEI environment itself but also the constant support — the internship supervisors always made time to answer our questions, explained processes, and made sure we got the most out of this experience,” the interns emphasize.
They recommend LEI to other students who are considering internships abroad. According to interns, it is a great opportunity to gain international experience, improve English language skills, and get acquainted with a professional laboratory environment and research culture.
“Moreover, Lithuania is a very interesting country full of contrasts. Here you can not only see a lot but also experience it — both culturally and socially. Travel between cities is fast and affordable, so in our free time, we had the chance to visit various places — from vibrant cities to peaceful nature. This truly enriched our time here,” says A. Duchâteau.
On July 23, Vice Minister of Energy Airidas Daukšas and Strategic Change Management Group Advisor Tomas Lukoševičius visited the Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI). During the visit, the guests were introduced to the institute’s activities, its cooperation with industry and universities, and the importance of public communication in the development and implementation of new energy technologies was discussed.
Exploring Advanced Solutions
The guests visited the Center for Hydrogen Energy Technologies, where the head of the center, Dr. Šarūnas Varnagiris, presented ongoing research activities and innovations, as well as the potential for hydrogen technology development in Lithuania.
During the meeting, the main activities of LEI were presented, including research, innovations, and technologies developed at the center. The discussion also covered possible public outreach initiatives related to hydrogen and other energy solutions.
Research was presented on hydrogen production via methane pyrolysis using novel catalysts, hydrogen extraction using metal and alloy nanoparticles, and hydrogen storage using metal and alloy hydrides. Research on antibacterial materials for use in hydrogen storage and transportation systems was also discussed.
Innovative Research
The Ministry representatives were introduced to ongoing projects, including the development of an innovative catalyst and a technology that produces hydrogen and gamma-aluminum oxide from plasma-activated aluminum and water. Solutions for aluminum waste recycling were also presented, enabling both hydrogen production and clean aluminum recovery.
Additionally, studies on metal hydrides and their integration with fuel cells were introduced, as well as research into the chemical interactions between hydrogen and metals. Planned project activities were also discussed, such as hydrogen production from used photovoltaic cells and the application of unconventional bimetallic catalysts in methane pyrolysis.
During the visit, the guests were accompanied by LEI Director Dr. Saulius Gudžius, Deputy Director Dr. Robertas Poškas, Head of the Center for Hydrogen Energy Technologies Dr. Šarūnas Varnagiris, Senior Researcher Dr. Marius Urbonavičius, Head of the Laboratory of Nuclear Installation Safety Dr. Sigitas Rimkevičius, and International Cooperation Coordinator Monika Inčerytė.
The Lithuanian Energy Institute is a partner in the Interreg Baltic Sea Region project PlanHeat, which aims to promote sustainable local heat planning and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. A key element of the project is close collaboration with the PlanHeat Ambassador Cities and Regions, who are involved from the very beginning in developing and testing the project’s solutions.
We are proud that among the 22 Ambassador Cities and Regions from 7 Baltic Sea countries, Kaišiadorys District Municipality is representing Lithuania. Ambassadors support the development process by participating in surveys and interviews, testing proposed solutions in real-world settings, providing valuable feedback, taking part in workshops, trainings, and conferences, sharing the PlanHeat approach within their networks, and actively engaging in the activities of the Baltic Municipal Heating Network.
Their involvement is crucial for ensuring that the tools and guidelines developed within the project are practical, effective, and widely adopted by local authorities. This collaboration is mutually beneficial, offering Ambassadors early access to innovative approaches and helping them improve their own local heat planning strategies.
More about the project: https://www.lei.lt/en/projektas/planheat-en/
In June, Lance Berkey, a bachelor’s student studying physics and mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), began a two-month internship at the Lithuanian Energy Institute. He came to Lithuania through the prestigious MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI) program, which enables MIT students to participate in research and innovation projects abroad. Lithuania is one of the program’s partner countries, and LEI is one of the hosting institutions.
Focus on Lithuania
L. Berkey is interning at LEI’s Laboratory of Heat Equipment Research and Testing. His work focuses on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of material degradation due to hydrogen infiltration. Currently, he is modeling deformation in the crystal lattice of alpha-iron to assess how hydrogen affects the stress–strain curves of the lattice.
Although L. Berkey studies physics and mathematics, his minor is in Eurasian studies. This partially influenced his decision to choose Lithuania as his internship destination.
“I was considering spending my summer internship in Europe, and Lithuania seemed particularly appealing. We have one Lithuanian professor at MIT who always speaks highly of the country, so I had already heard positive things. When I started looking for internship opportunities, the MISTI program coordinator suggested the Lithuanian Energy Institute. After my first conversation with LEI representatives, I realized this place was a perfect match for my skills and expectations – so I decided to come,” he explains.
A Valuable Experience
During his internship, L. Berkey carried out computer modeling and data analysis in the field of molecular dynamics, examining the damage caused by hydrogen infiltration in alpha-iron. As he is set to return to the U.S. at the end of July, he is now summarizing results and writing his final report.
According to him, hydrogen will play an increasingly significant role in the energy sector, making it crucial to understand its impact on materials. He appreciates the opportunity LEI provided to deepen both theoretical and practical knowledge in this field.
“My internship at the Institute truly stood out – I felt very free and independent here. The supervisors allowed me to work at my own pace, encouraged me to find solutions independently, but were always ready to help when needed. I really value that – independence in learning is extremely important. I was also impressed by the Institute itself – its size, modern infrastructure, variety of research, and the experienced scientists working here. I would definitely recommend an internship at LEI to any student interested in the energy sector,” he says with a smile.
Considering a Return
L. Berkey also enjoyed getting to know Lithuania and Kaunas. He was impressed by the friendliness of the locals, the green city environment, and the convenient infrastructure. Lithuania left a very positive impression on him, and he would like to return in the future.
“The internship at LEI opened up new perspectives for me. Until now, I was certain I wouldn’t pursue a PhD immediately after my master’s, but now I’m seriously considering it. I enjoyed doing research and working in the lab, so I think this could be a direction I take in the future,” L. Berkey concludes.
On July 8, international students currently undertaking internships at the Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI) participated in an introductory tour of the Institute’s laboratories. During the visit, they explored six of LEI’s scientific divisions: the Center for Hydrogen Energy Technologies, the Plasma Processing Laboratory, the Laboratory of Materials Research and Testing, the Laboratory of Heat-Equipment Research and Testing, the Nuclear Engineering Laboratory, and the Laboratory of Combustion Processes.
Throughout the tour, the interns became acquainted with the infrastructure, ongoing scientific research, and achievements of these divisions. They had the opportunity to see advanced technologies and learn about innovative solutions being applied in various scientific and industrial fields to promote greater sustainability and efficiency. The students showed interest in the work of LEI researchers, asking questions about current projects and studies.
The visit to the laboratories helped the students gain a deeper understanding of LEI’s activities and the diversity of its scientific research, enriching their knowledge and experience at the Institute. This opportunity to explore LEI’s structure, the versatility of its scientific divisions, and their interactions allowed them to learn not only about the laboratory where they are doing their internship but also about other research units across the Institute.
On June 3–5, 2025, ICEREG project experts Dr. Jūratė Kriaučiūnienė and Dr. Darius Jakimavičius took part in the Nordic Hydrological Conference (NHC2025) held in Iceland. This year’s conference, themed “Water and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation,” brought together scientists and specialists from various countries to discuss how climate change is affecting water resources – rivers, lakes, and groundwater – and how societies are adapting to these changes. Topics included shifts in water use, dam construction, improvements in hydrological forecasting, and planning solutions to mitigate the impacts of extreme events such as floods and droughts.
Dr. Jūratė Kriaučiūnienė, a researcher at the LEI Hydrology Laboratory, participated in the thematic session “Floods and Droughts: Natural Extremes in a Warming World”, where she presented the talk “How ice jam floods will change in the future in the lowland rivers?” Her presentation focused on projected changes in ice jam-related floods in lowland rivers under future climate conditions.
Dr. Darius Jakimavičius presented a scientific poster during the poster session titled “Projected Changes in Annual Maximum Flows in Northern Lithuanian River Basins: A Focus on Extreme Events,” where he analyzed projected variations in annual maximum flow rates in northern Lithuanian river basins, emphasizing extreme hydrological events.
The Project is funded by the European Union’s Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Programme 2021–2027
More about the project: https://www.lei.lt/en/icereg/
Researchers from the Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI) recently visited the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) in Norway to strengthen collaboration and share knowledge in catalytic synthesis and process improvement.
The LEI delegation, consisting of a senior researcher and a laboratory assistant, participated in hands-on training and joint research activities with IFE scientists. They primarily focused on improving methanol production techniques using laboratory-scale fixed-bed reactor systems, which support key tasks within the ongoing project “Plastic waste conversion to methanol through water vapor plasma gasification and advanced catalytic synthesis” funded by Nordic Energy Research and the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania. During their visit, LEI researchers contributed to the synthesis and characterization of advanced methanol catalysts, including Cu/ZnO/Al2O3, as well as ZrO2- and In2O3-promoted versions. They also investigated porous water sorbents like zeolites and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) using an innovative two-particle system approach for evaluation.
The team gained practical training and experience with IFE’s modern laboratory facilities, which include: surface and pore analysis instruments (BET, BJH, and H2 chemisorption), thermal analysis equipment such as TPR, TPO, TPD, thermogravimetric analyzers and reactor systems, including flow reactors and fluidized bed reactors.
This collaboration supports the exchange of early-career researchers and helps build long-term scientific capability at both institutions. The visit improved scientific expertise while encouraging innovation and international cooperation in sustainable chemical technologies.
On June 9–11, two important events for the science and business communities took place in Tokyo, Japan. The Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI) was represented by Senior Researcher and Deputy Director Dr. Raminta Skvorčinskienė.
On June 9, she took part in the Lithuania Co-Create: Lithuania–Japan Business Forum, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in startups, high-tech, joint research, and innovation. The event was attended by business leaders, public institutions, and innovation agencies from both countries, including Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda.
On June 10, Dr. Skvorčinskienė participated in the first Lithuania–Japan Science Forum at Waseda University, focused on innovation in life sciences, biotechnology, and high-tech. She gave a presentation on “Innovative Solutions for Reducing Hydrodynamic Resistance: An ERC Project Concept with Japanese Partners” and highlighted LEI’s cooperation opportunities with Japanese institutions, including student internships, PhD studies, and joint research.
On June 5, 2025, representatives of the Lithuanian Energy Institute participated in the “Green Ideas Festival” held in the inner courtyard of the Presidential Palace.
Visitors to the LEI stand had the opportunity to take part in the educational activity “An Energy Journey from A to Z” and test their knowledge of energy.
The Green Ideas Festival is a space for discussion, learning from best practices, and discovering ways in which each of us can contribute to creating a more sustainable and greener Lithuania.
Lithuanian Energy Institute announces a competition for Admission to state-funded full-time doctoral studies in the fields of Energetics and Power Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Economics.
📆 Submission of applications: 5 – 20 (till 1 p.m.) June, 2025
📆 Motivational interviews: 26-30 June, 2025
📆 Notification of applicants about the competition results: 30 (from 5 p.m.) June, 2025
Doctoral research topics and admission procedure:
https://www.lei.lt/en/phd-studies/admission-to-phd-studies/
