Mirko Bothien

Mirko Bothien is a Senior Lecturer and Head of Research/Focus Area Renewable Energy at the Institute of Energy Systems and Fluid Engineering (IEFE) within the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) School of Engineering. He also holds an Associate Professor position at the Department of Energy and Process Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim. Previously, he was a Rudolf Diesel Industry Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study at TU München from 2018 to 2022. His work focuses on renewable energy systems with particular emphasis on hydrogen technologies and gas turbine applications.

Dr. Bothien earned his Dr.-Ing. in Thermoacoustics and Combustion from the Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics at TU Berlin (2005-2008) and his Dipl.-Ing. in Turbo-machinery and Jet Propulsion from RWTH Aachen (2001-2005). In 2023, he completed a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education from PH Zürich, enhancing his pedagogical expertise.

Dr. Bothien's research spans thermoacoustics, combustion dynamics, gas turbine technology, hydrogen energy systems, and alternative fuels. He leads numerous projects investigating hydrogen combustion in gas turbines, ammonia-hydrogen co-firing, and advanced combustion systems for carbon-free power generation. His work addresses critical challenges in decarbonizing power systems through innovative combustion technologies that maintain high efficiency while reducing emissions. His research integrates experimental, numerical, and theoretical approaches to understand complex combustion phenomena, particularly focusing on thermoacoustic instabilities in reheat combustors and novel flame stabilization mechanisms. He teaches Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Wind Power and Hydropower courses.

Analysis of Dr. Bothien's recent publications reveals a strong focus on hydrogen and ammonia combustion technologies for gas turbines, with particular attention to thermoacoustic stability, flame dynamics, and emissions characteristics. His work demonstrates increasing emphasis on carbon-free energy carriers and their integration into existing power generation infrastructure. The research spans fundamental combustion science to applied engineering solutions, with a clear trajectory toward enabling hydrogen-based power systems.

Dr. Bothien actively leads multiple research projects including HyPowerGT (demonstrating hydrogen-powered gas turbines), FLEX4H2 (hydrogen flexibility), AETHER (hydrogen burner development), and ADONIS (ammonia-hydrogen combustion in micro gas turbines). These projects involve collaboration with industry partners and research institutions across Europe, securing significant research funding for advancing renewable energy technologies.

As Head of Research at IEFE, Dr. Bothien oversees a research team focused on renewable energy systems, with particular expertise in thermoacoustic analysis, combustion dynamics, and hydrogen technologies. The team operates advanced experimental facilities for combustion research and maintains strong industry partnerships to translate research findings into practical applications for the energy sector.