Transition Engineering defines the study of how we can move towards sustainable resource consumption and low carbon lifestyles in the face of population growth, dwindling fossil fuel reserves and the threats of climate change.
Aims
Each speaker was asked to address the question, "What are the challenges facing society and highest priority actions that need to be taken in transitioning to a low carbon economy with sustainable resource consumption?” The core aims of the project were to engage staff and students with the field of Transition Engineering, and to promote related research and teaching activity, both at Bristol and with external partners.
A unique aspect of the seminar series is that state-of the art videoconferencing technology was used to allow contributors to provide their lectures via the internet, demonstrating the positive impact that technology can have on moving towards low carbon lifestyles.
What was acheived?
Four seminars were organised as part of the project and these have helped raise the profile of Transition Engineering within the University, providing a strong platform for further research and teaching activity in this emerging field. Details of each seminar, the number of attendees and subsequent activity are as follows:
1. The Role of Renewable Energy in Transition to a Low Carbon World, Dr Andrew Garrad, 15th October 2015 (http://bit.ly/2bzzV7Q)
Number of Attendees: Approximately 100 staff, students and external professionals.
Andrew Garrad is both a leading figure in the renewable energy industry and a close ally of the University. This event provided an ideal platform to launch the series and to stimulate interest amongst staff and students. It was also used as an opportunity to relaunch the Garrad Hassan Annual Lecture Series and for this year’s event, Andrew is proposing an Autumn lecture on the theme of Energy Storage.
2. Transition Engineering and Management, Professor Susan Krumdieck (University of Canterbury, NZ), 29th October 2015 (http://bit.ly/2bY5PfA)
Number of Attendees: Approximately 60 staff and students.
Susan Krumdieck has led the development of the Global Association for Transition Engineering (GATE) and this event led to Bristol forming strong links with both Susan and GATE. In addition to the seminar, Susan also delivered a Transition Engineering workshop for around 50 staff, students and external professionals during her visit (http://bit.ly/2bTEhGZ).
3. Transition Engineering in South America, Patricia Darez (University of Bristol Alumna), 4th December 2015 (http://bit.ly/2bzXSJ5)
Number of Attendees: Approximately 50 staff and students.
This seminar was used to trial videoconferencing technology within a lecture theatre, allowing Patricia to deliver the talk from her home in Chile. The recording was posted on the Cabot Institute’s YouTube Channel (http://bit.ly/2c9c9hV) and an Engineering student who attended the talk has recently started a 12 month internship working for Patricia’s Renewable Energy Consultancy, 350renewables (http://bit.ly/2cp9pks).
4. Offshore Wind – Past, Present & Future, Henrik Stiesdal, 1 April 2016 (http://bit.ly/2c9d6H1)
Number of Attendees: Approximately 100 staff, students and external professionals.
Henrik Stiesdal is a world renowned inventor and businessman in the wind energy industry. This event helped us to create an ongoing partnership with Henrik and he is currently supporting a group design project in Engineering on floating offshore wind energy platforms. The project involves 5 final year undergraduate students and is also being supported by DNV GL and Atkins.
Next steps
In addition to the specific follow-up activities, the group plan to arrange similar events in the forthcoming academic year. They also hope to expand their activity in Transition Engineering through both student and academic research projects. A relevant example is the Renewable Energy Microgrids project supported by the Global Challenges Research Fund.
Further information
This project was run by Paul Harper (Aerospace engineering), co-applicants Jeremy Burn, Chris McMahon (Mechanical Engineering) and Karen Bell (Sociology, Politics and International Studies).