An innovative academy programme is on the hunt for engineers to develop their skills while working on a pioneering project to make power generation across the UK more sustainable.
Co-Lab Engineering managing director Clyne Albertelli is looking for participants for the next project of the newly launched Engineering Academy, with the cohort challenged to help develop technology which will convert water supplies into electricity within domestic and community settings.
Through a unique partnership with Technology Consortia Limited (TCL – Cumbria), the engineers will work with TCL founder Ian Stephenson, who has 50 years of experience in applications engineering, to manufacture Compact Hydro Energy Devices (CHEDs) to change the face of power generation by reducing carbon emissions usage and improve sustainability across the UK, and beyond.
Supported by Innovate UK, Ian has developed a concept design of the CHEDs but is teaming up with the Engineering Academy for help in manufacturing the electro-mechanical and electronic control components of the devices, providing budding engineers with the opportunity to develop their skills while working on real-world, industry wide challenges.
During the six-week ‘sprint’ project, academy participants will work with other organisations to identify the challenge, design a model and build a prototype for testing to ensure the devices can operate successfully.
Ian said: “I have been working to develop devices which can be installed and adapted to main water supplies to convert hydropower into electricity to provide a more sustainable way of generating power, and the feasibility of the concept has been researched and proven.
“My strengths are in fluid engineering, but my weaknesses lie in micro-electronics, so this is why I reached out to Clyne and his exciting Engineering Academy to provide assistance where my skill sets are lacking, while allowing the participants to develop key skills needed in the industry.
“The Engineering Academy is such an interesting formula as it helps engineers wanting to improve their skills and gives them the chance to work on a real industry challenge. I have 50 years of experience in engineering so I think there are a few bits of advice I will be able to pass on.”
The Engineering Academy was launched by 26-year-old Clyne in November and the first cohort are nearing the end of its challenge to find a mechanical or chemical method of cleaning unwanted biofouling from the hulls of submarines and boats.
The CHEDs project, the first of five currently planned for 2023, will run for six weeks from January 16.
He said: “The partnership with TCL is a really exciting one and it will be the first of its kind in this field as we pool our resources to help develop the skills of a local workforce.
“We are very much looking forward to creating a concept that has huge potential to have such a positive impact on the UK’s sustainability agenda, and the end result of the project could help change the face of power generation across the world.”
Community regeneration initiative Industrial Solutions Hub will sponsor two places on the next Engineering Academy project; a placement for a student wishing to develop their skills in the sector and a placement open to a SME which would like one of its staff members to benefit from the programme’s activities.
The Engineering Academy is being supported by delivery partners the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, University of Cumbria, the Centre for Leadership Performance and TEDx speaker Jo Corbishley, who will all feature in the activities during the six-week programme.
