Students to showcase an innovative and efficient local energy solution – Two university students are set to represent Kenya in the 2016 Schneider Electric Go Green in the City international competition to find innovative energy solutions for smart cities scheduled in Paris, France from 19th to 22nd September 2016.
The duo of Mike Arasa and Melvis Wanjiru from the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology beat over 16,000 applicants and will showcase their innovative saw dust and waste timber recycling energy project. With their innovation, they expect to scoop the USD 10,000 (KES 1.1M) prize money at the finals.
The Mechatronics Engineering majors are excited to be competing on the global stage with their ingenious project that would, if implemented, greatly reduce environmental degradation while providing efficient energy sources derived from waste by products of Kenya’s timber industry.
Dubbed Team Achievers, the Kenyan students are part of 12 teams from around the world who will be showcasing energy management solutions in one of five competition areas; residential, universities, business, hospitals or water management.
Through this competition, Schneider Electric Kenya hopes to share and sponsor the students’ ambition of innovating at every level to help rethink industries, transform cities and enrich the lives of Kenyans through energy management technology and automation. “We hope to raise the awareness of Schneider Electric among thousands of students in Kenya and show them why it would be a great place not only to work but to impact society and transform Kenya’s energy situation,” said Fola Esan, Schneider Electric East Africa Chief Executive Officer.
Over the last two months, the Kenyan finalists have been mentored by Schneider Electric employees who have helped them develop their ideas and business cases further, focusing on impact, user needs, feasibility and return on investment.
Launched in 2011, the Go Green in the City competition offers engineering and business students a chance to present their innovative energy management ideas for the smart cities of the future. The 12 teams that will take part in the final are from Azerbaijan, Brazil, Canada, China, China – Hong Kong SAR, Germany, Indonesia, India, Kenya, and the United Arab Emirates.