The scholarship, launched to commemorate the charity’s two-decade milestone, aims to empower the next generation of innovators in combating climate change.
In a bid to spearhead transformative change in our energy landscape, Action Renewables, a leading environmental charity, has announced a groundbreaking £15,000 scholarship for students pursuing the MSc energy storage course at Ulster University.
The scholarship, launched to commemorate the charity’s two-decade milestone, aims to empower the next generation of innovators in combating climate change.
The selected recipient of this scholarship will receive comprehensive coverage of tuition fees and an additional stipend, ensuring they can fully commit to their studies. The MSc program delves into cutting-edge thermal and electrical storage technologies, exploring how intermittent renewable energy sources can seamlessly integrate with our existing energy grid.
Housed within the esteemed School of Architecture and the Built Environment in Belfast, this course operates in conjunction with the Centre for Sustainable Technologies, an incubator of research focused on sustainable renewable energy, building design, construction materials, and environmental technologies.
Action Renewables’ Chief Executive, Terry Waugh, expressed his enthusiasm for the scholarship initiative, emphasizing the charity’s dedication to supporting students in combatting climate change. “As we celebrate 20 years of our charity this year, we wanted to mark the occasion with a significant contribution to the enhancement of education around climate change, and to be able to support students on this master’s degree course is a wonderful way to do that,” he stated.
Dr. Caterina Brandoni, the course director, highlighted its pivotal role in expanding industry and public sector comprehension of the intricate scientific and technological challenges entwined with energy systems. These skills, she noted, are imperative for society’s transition to a net-zero carbon future. With Northern Ireland holding a binding commitment to achieve net zero by 2050, energy storage emerges as a linchpin in the Energy Strategy.
Professor Philip Griffiths, a distinguished academic at the Ulster University Centre for Sustainable Technologies, underscored the urgency of radical change in our energy economy. He emphasized the critical role of energy storage technologies in adopting a zero-carbon energy system. The scholarship, he believes, will be a transformative force, augmenting the employability of the chosen student and catering to the escalating demand for eco-conscious jobs in Northern Ireland and beyond.
As the world grapples with the imperative of sustainable energy solutions, this scholarship not only signifies a pivotal moment for Ulster University but also embodies a beacon of hope in the global fight against climate change.