DNV GL Launches 2014 PhD Award in Renewable Energy

DNV GL is offering PhD students from across the globe the chance to enter the 2nd annual ‘PhD Award in Renewable Energy’ competition with the author of the winning thesis receiving a 5000€ prize cash prize.

The competition and prize was first initiated in 2012 to support research & development, education, the creation of new knowledge and to encourage the development of advanced technology and processes for renewable energy.

As the renewable energy sector experiences sustained and rapid growth, ensuring that the next generation of engineers is engaging with the upcoming challenges and opportunities is vital for the future of the industry. To combat the threat of the growing engineering skills shortage, DNV GL understands the value of supporting the next generation of renewable energy leaders and the new innovative ideas that they bring to the table. Judging criteria will focus on innovation providing new creative insights and ideas to move the renewable energy industry forward.

Lars Landberg, Innovation Manager at DNV GL for renewables advisory services commented: “As a company which places knowledge and learning at the very heart of its business, we strongly support all innovative thinking in renewable energy, and are particularly keen to support the development of scientific knowledge – helping to ensure the long-term future of our industry.”

Students are required to submit all theses published between 15th September 2013 and 15th September 2014. Applications will close on the 30th November 2014 and the winner will be announced on the 31st of January 2015.

Previous winner, Dr Inigo Mertinez de Alegria of the University of the Basque Country in Bilbao, Spain entered his thesis “Study on Full Direct Current Offshore Wind Farm” examining the potential use of Direct Current (DC) grids in offshore wind farms. By introducing high frequency power transformers in the power stage of wind turbines and a fully DC integrated system for the elimination of power stage redundancies, the thesis aimed to reduce the overall cost and power loss of offshore wind farms.

Dr Mertinez de Alegria commented: “Receiving the Global PhD Award in Renewable Energy from such a prestigious organisation helped me in various different ways. It improved the recognition to my work among my peers and helped in improving the funding possibilities for our research team.”