Larne student comes out on top in energy awards

Jonathan Agnew, was recognised for excellence in his BEng Hons Electronics and Software course at the University of Ulster.

The award ceremony, hosted by the Northern Ireland branch of the Energy Institute and sponsored by AES, saw nearly 20 students from the University of Ulster Jordanstown’s schools of Engineering, Environmental Sciences, and Built Environment and Queens University Belfast’s Schools of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering in attendance.

Jonathan received a first place prize for his dedicated studies and high achievements, especially his dissertation entitled ‘Rapid Parallel Screening of Solar Water Splitting Photocatalysts.’

Finalists for the annual awards were nominated by their university schools from the outstanding students in their last academic year or recent graduates of Master’s courses.

The distinguished McBride Prize, named after Northern Ireland’s Energy Institute branch founder Eric McBride, was presented to Londonderry’s Adrian Pugsley in recognition of his work in his MSc dissertation in Renewables at UUJ entitled ‘Development of a low cost solar thermal vacuum assisted phase change desalinator.’ The senior prize is awarded to the student who has written the best dissertation on an energy related topic from an Energy Institute accredited course.

Robin Davey CSci MEI, Chair, EI Northern Ireland branch said: ‘I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to all students recognised at this year’s awards.

“Northern Ireland is quickly becoming a thriving hub of the energy sector, and courses like the ones acknowledged this evening from University of Ulster and Queens University are contributing greatly to growth in the energy sector here.”

Commenting on the quality of the finalists this year, Davy Elliot of event sponsor AES added: “The talent and understanding of the energy industry as displayed in projects and dissertations we reviewed is a strong indicator of the industry’s bright future here in Northern Ireland.

“As Northern Ireland’s largest electricity provider, AES recognises the importance of nurturing local talent and skill and encouraging students to pursue careers in engineering and sciences.”

In addition to being presented with certificates of achievement, prizewinners also received a glass trophy made from recycled glass.

The Energy Institute (EI) aims to develop and disseminate knowledge, skills and good practice towards a safer, more secure and sustainable energy system.