MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering students’ final thesis research was presented to CIBSE and Heat Merchants judges as research-style posters
The annual Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) awards were held recently in WIT. The postgraduate students presented their research thesis work with the aim of winning the Annual CIBSE Student Award.
The student research work was judged by Paul Martin, CIBSE RoI Chairman and Programme Manager – Technical Standards Development at SEAI; Michael McNerney, Technical Support & Design Manager Heat Merchants Group.
The annual CIBSE Student awards this year were based on the MSc students’ research work. As part of their final thesis the students prepared research style posters.
The winning project
The CIBSE Award went to student John Smyth for his research project entitled “An investigation into the life cycle energy requirement of high-rise residential building designs in urban Ireland and its viability to comply with incoming NZEB building regulations”.
Runners up
The runners up were Lakshya Sharma for his project entitled “Feasibility study of grid connected solar PV system for power stability in New Delhi, India.” John Gilliespie for his project entitled “Analysis of the Performance and Investment Potential of Ocean Renewable Energy Systems for the West Coast of Ireland” and James Stack for his project entitled “Wind Power Viability”.
All of the research projects were highly commended by the judges.
Winner praises flexible learning
Award winner John Smyth said that winning the CIBSE award has been the highlight of his academic career to date and that he felt privileged to have received it. “I am sincerely grateful to CIBSE, WIT and Heat Merchant Group for the CIBSE award in recognition of all the hard work I input into my thesis project but really it is a testament to the Sustainable Energy Engineering Masters programme in WIT and my fellow students. I could not have completed my thesis project were it not for the support and mentoring of all the staff and students involved in the programme and I thank them wholeheartedly for everything,” he said.
John said that the masters programme flexible block teaching style and online resources allowed him to work while completing his masters which added an industry related aspect to his learning and thesis project which no doubt contributed to its success.
“I look forward to the next chapter of my career as a mechanical design engineer with ARUP and hope to continue my research into the future,” he added.
Heat Merchants support
Michael McNerney, Technical Support & Design Manager Heat Merchants Group said “We have regular interaction with WIT including sponsoring summer work placements within our design office based in balbriggan county Dublin. We have also been delighted to be involved in supporting student awards at WIT and look forward to continuing our valuable co-operation.”
Heat Merchants offers the latest renewable energy technology and has a Technical Support and Design Team which offers expert advice plus a complete system design and specification service for both domestic and commercial projects.
Mervin Doyle Programme Leader MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering thanked CIBSE and Heat Merchants for supporting these awards. “It is fantastic that the students get acknowledgement for all their hard work. The graduates from this programme are quite sought after at present and it is support such as this that is of mutual benefit to the students and industry.”
About
The MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering is a taught postgraduate programme in the Department of the Built Environment. The programme has been running since 2009. Graduates of this MSc programme have found employment in fields such as: Dynamic Thermal Modelling, Mechanical & Electrical Services Consultancy, Local Authority Energy Agencies, Academic Research, Energy Supply Companies, Energy Consultancy, BIM, LEED and BREEAM Accredited Professionals and Energy Management Consultancy.
The MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering is delivered in a new flexible block delivery mode which is designed to facilitate Continuing Professional Development while also working. It is accredited by Engineers Ireland for Chartered Engineer Status and the Energy Institute for Chartered Engineer Status and Chartered Energy Manager status.
SETU Waterford, Cork Road, Waterford City, 
