Birmingham Energy Society kicked off term 2 by welcoming Dr Richard Connolly to talk about how the changes in the energy industry, regarding production and consumption, have shaped global politics.
Soon after, David Horsfall joined us in what sadly happened to be our last event to tell us a bit about Tyseley Energy Park, one of the most innovative energy zones in the UK and is located only a short journey away. The site successfully provides renewable energy to many homes in the local area using a combination of inventive sustainable energy sources. We had planned for a trip to the Energy Park for our members however complications meant this was not possible. However, we’re hoping to organise another trip in the coming year for our members.
Our Insight and Networking Day was set to be the big finale for the year, unfortunately due to COVID-19 we had to cancel the event. Speakers from companies driving the energy scene in Birmingham and beyond, as well as others working in interesting industries such as biodegradable polymer production and sustainable exporting, were all keen to come and meet students. Some had also mentioned the possibility of internships. Companies we had lined up included: Eon, Eco2Solar, Grid Edge, Faraday Battery and many more. Our success in gaining interest this year means we aim to deliver a bigger and better event next year!
The past year saw the launch of our UoBe Smart campaign in partnership with E.ON Energy, aiming to reduce overall student energy consumption by providing simple energy-reducing tips and promoting the installation of Smart Meters within student households. You can find out more about our Campaign at https://birminghamenergyso.wixsite.com/home/uobe-smart. We’re hoping to develop this further throughout the upcoming academic year so even more of the student population throughout Selly Oak and Harborne can be involved. We’re also expanding the Campaign to include University-owned and partner accommodation, working on including various energy-reducing items in fresher packs such as shower timers, room thermometers and turn off the light stickers. This is just one of the many exciting campaigns the Birmingham Energy Society hopes to be promoting in the next year!
To top off a highly successful year we received 85 nominations to the EPS Societies’ Awards! Adrian Street was shortlisted for Volunteer of the Year and named our Member of the Year, and as a society we were shortlisted for the EPS Community Award, Head of College Idea of the Year and Society of the Year. We then WON the Industrial Award and Allan Dos Santos won the Outreach Award!!
From this great finish we’re looking forward to the new year with the new committee taking over, who are:
- President: Nandini Lad
- Vice-President: Freddy Young
- Treasurer: Will Banks
- Secretary: Louis Butt
- Events and Campaigns Director: Max Castiglione
- Social Media Director: Luke Broadhead
- Outreach Officer: Allan Dos Santos
Although the year ahead is uncertain, the new committee are still working to put on events from a variety of speakers in the coming academic year. If any readers have new ideas for talks or events please get in touch!
To find out more about Birmingham Energy Society visit their website www.birmingham.ac.uk/eps/energysoc.
There are 42 student groups in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. To learn more about their projects and activities head to www.birmingham.ac.uk/eps-societies.