RWE npower Energy Challenge won by Birmingham undergraduates

A team of undergraduates from the University of Birmingham has won the prestigious RWE npower Energy Challenge by coming up with an innovative energy solution for future generations.

RWE npower Energy Challenge is an international competition which tasks students with devising a solution to the biggest challenge facing the energy sector: “How can an energy company respond to climate change, maintain a secure supply and more importantly ensure that energy bills are affordable?”

The Birmingham-based team, calling themselves Green Grid Consultancy, won the competition for their innovative idea to use a hybrid wind and wave generator. The project involved combining two forms of generation at the same site, this could reduce operating costs, improved power output and has no carbon emissions. Each member of the winning team was awarded £1,250, and £5,000 for Birmingham University.

The RWE npower Energy Challenge has been running for five years. With hundreds of students across the UK taking part, this year the competition had an international feel with two teams from Eindhoven University in Holland making the final.

Ayekame Tseja, captain of Birmingham’s Green Grid Consultancy team said: “We’re thrilled to be winners of the RWE npower Energy Challenge, and that our ideas stood out against such a strong field of competitors. Taking part in a competition that’s challenged us on such an important topic has been a great experience, and we’re thrilled that our hard work has paid off.”

The judges, comprising of senior board members from RWE npower including Volker Beckers, CEO of RWE npower were impressed with the unique nature of the team’s solutions.

Volker said: “The Green Grid Consultancy presentation was excellent and stood out due to the original way the team tackled the challenge of cutting emissions, whilst ensuring clean energy provision for the future. We’d like to congratulate them on winning the competition.”

“Among the goals of the Energy Challenge is encouraging and rewarding young people studying engineering and science, and attracting new students to these important topics. We’ve been impressed with all the entries to this year’s challenge, but special congratulations must go to our winners.”

Recent research from the Science for Careers Expert Group report has indicated that there could be a major shortage in science-skilled workers in the UK workforce, with a shortfall of 324,000 workers with the relevant skills by 2014. npower believes competitions like the Energy Challenge can play an important role in helping science undergraduates into industrial jobs and filling this skills gap.

Via EPR Network
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Jonathan Dollard, P.E. Joins Free Flow Power Corporation

Free Flow Power Corporation, a developer of clean renewable energy, welcomes the addition of Mr.Jonathan Dollard, P.E.to the company as aVice President of Engineering.

Mr. Dollard has more than 20 years of experience in hydropower industry. Mr. Dollard was responsible for the operation and maintenance of over 65 hydroelectric and other renewable energy generating projects across the United States during his preceding 14-year employment with Enel Green Power North America, Inc. (formerly CHI Energy, Inc.) Mr. Dollard also worked with Rivers Engineering and has completed various civil, structural and water resources analyses and designs. He has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of New Hampshire.

Dan Irvin, CEO of Free Flow Power, commented, “We’re thrilled to have Jon leading our engineering team. We expect his experience in design, operation, and maintenance of utility-scale renewable energy facilities to enhance the value of our development pipeline.”

Mr. Dollard remarked, “ I look forward to working with FFP team who is clearly one of the leading hydropower development companies within the United States. It’s wonderful to join a team that has a common goal of economically developing renewable energy sites and I hope to share my past experiences with them to ensure success. ”

About Free Flow Power

Free Flow Power Corporation is a clean renewable energy company focusing on hydropower, hydrokinetic and hydro pumped storage projects as reliable, cost-effective sources of electricity and grid stability. Free Flow Power is developing a pipeline of over 150 projects representing potential capacity of more than 3,500 Megawatts in the US on behalf of investors, utilities, and electricity consumers.

Via EPR Network
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