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Alstom Power has come on board for the 2nd annual Energy Young Entrepreneurs Scheme (Energy YES). Energy YES is a national competition for early career researchers and aims to help to develop entrepreneurial skills that will enable them to solve some of the most serious challenges facing the energy industry. Alstom is providing the use of its premises in Rugby for the three day workshop and competition final as well as supplying guest speakers, mentors and judges.
Energy YES is organised by The University of Nottingham’s Haydn Green Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Network of Energy Doctoral Training Centres.
Competitors take part in a three day workshop to develop business plans for the energy sector. Each team develops a plan for a product or service (that may be based on actual research) that they pitch to a panel of judges ‘Dragons' Den’ style, as though seeking investment. The workshop gives the participants the opportunity to develop their business skills in areas such as marketing, finance and intellectual property. It also allows for valuable networking with industry experts.
Iain Rutherford, Unit Managing Director of Alstom Rugby, said: “Over the years, Alstom has proactively supported the development of Centres for Doctoral Training across the UK. We therefore see, at first-hand, the value these centres bring in preparing young engineers and scientists with the essential skills and competencies to enter industry and also in developing their theoretical knowledge necessary to extend the required technologies of tomorrow. We are therefore delighted to host this year’s Energy YES event at the Alstom site in Rugby and observe the students engage in this intense and educational competition.”
Energy YES 2014 takes place from the May 21–23 with 50 researchers taking part for the duration. With a prize of £1,000 for the winning idea, the competition follows on from the success of Biotechnology YES and other niche YES competitions which over 4,000 early career researchers have taken part in since 1997.
Jason Green, Head of the Research Councils UK Energy Programme, says: “We are delighted that Energy YES is returning for a 2nd year and that Alstom are confirmed as sponsors. The programme, sponsored by the RCUK Energy Programme, offers researchers a unique opportunity to develop key skills for their future careers in energy innovation. The support provided by Alstom demonstrates how valuable the Energy YES experience is to both researchers and companies in the energy sector.”
Holding the competition at Alstom offers participants the valuable experience of spending time on a working site. Mentoring and guest speakers are also provided by BP, DNV GL, E.ON, Green Investment Bank and SSE as well as professionals from SMEs working in energy fields such as solar, energy demand, storage, wind, smart meters and smart grids.
For more information about Energy YES visit the Energy YES website
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