Strathclyde’s leading research with energy giants
Strathclyde's long-standing relationship with energy giants Scottish Power has been enhanced by the company’s recent announcement that it is inviting Strathclyde students to apply for a scholarship programme.
Earlier this year, the Scottish Power Foundation, in partnership with its Spanish equivalent Fundacion IBERDROLA, announced 17 new post-graduate scholarship grants for the 2014/15 academic year.
Educating young professionals
The scholarships aim to contribute to the education of young professionals with the capabilities required to lead the energy industry and are part of a £1.65m investment in research and education.
Professor Scott MacGregor, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, said:
Our highly successful and long-established relationship with the Scottish Power Foundation continues to grow and demonstrates our commitment to delivering research and technology solutions required to support Scotland and the UK meet their ambitious renewable energy targets.
Scholarships will be taken on by students at Strathclyde and four other UK universities: the University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of Liverpool and Imperial College London.
Long-standing relationship
The University's relationship with Scottish Power goes back a number of years. In 2007, the Scottish Power Advanced Research Centre (SPARC) was opened, which provides access to proven research capability in Scottish Power Energy Network’s (SPEN) core business areas.
Research at SPARC focuses on three strategic research areas:
- asset technology – field-based activities that concentrate on the technologies used to gather and interpret data for the control and management of individual assets
- investment strategy – activities that analyse the underlying trends of asset populations – from asset ageing to network performance
- system development – network design activities that consider the connectivity between assets, load and generation, plus standards, regulations and Ofgem incentives and penalties
Jamie McWilliam, Technology Manager, Scottish Power Energy Networks, said:
The work that is being carried out through the Technology and Innovation Centre complements research being carried out at SPARC. By looking at areas from asset management to system design and operation, the University of Strathclyde has effectively supported and aided Scottish Power through various projects in the advancement of the day-to-day and future planning of our electrical power networks.