Green News the Woman Engineer – Spring 2007 11
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12 The Woman Engineer – Spring 2007 WANTED: Women-led Saving the bath water recycling businesses THE LONDON DEVELOPMENT MEL BLYTHE , an was very high and we AGENCY (LDA) is investing £3 inventor and teaching had a tough job deciding million into the recycling sector assistant, has won first which invention should in London, through its enhance prize in the Powergen scoop the top prize. But business support programme. It EnergyLab competition Mel’s invention really is particularly aiming to assist – a nationwide search stood out for us and we women-led businesses and other to find the best energy look forward to seeing it under-represented groups in efficient product ideas. being developed over London. Mel was the only the next few months.” Helen Keenan, director of female entrant amongst “I can’t believe my Product Development, London over a hundred com- invention has won the Development Agency, said:.“In petitors. She will now competition,” said Mel. its first 18 months, enhance have the opportunity to “As a mum myself, this helped grow over 170 ‘green’ work with LIFE-IC, a was just something I enterprises. We’re hoping the state of the art support service for device for baths – fought off stiff came up with to make my life eas- service will create another 20 the development of clean energy competition at the national final ier. I’ve always believed it was a new businesses and 200 jobs in technologies, which will provide held at the Tate Modern gallery in great idea, so it’s brilliant that the London over the next 18 support and advice to help get her London. Powergen judges have recognised months. idea into production Judging panel chairman, Trevor its potential too.“ Businesses requiring assistance The winning entry – an ingen- Baylis said: “The standard of For further information see can apply online at ious water and energy-saving entries we reviewed at the final www.powergenenergylab.co.uk. www.enhancelondon.co.uk. school groups. POTENTIAL BIOFUELS for products, such as the Sensidry heat Other renewable energy gener- transport are being investi- pump tumble dryer (shown below) ating devices on the WISE building gated in a Royal Society survey. that boasts record-low energy con- will include 70m2 of evacuated This will look at how scientific tubes for solar water heating, and developments could tackle prob- Green a massive woodchip-fired com- lems associated with biofuels cur- bined heat and power (CHP) plant. rently on the market, such as This will provide 250kW of heat biodiesel, derived from soya or for the whole site, and 100kW of rapeseed, and bioethanol, made electricity. CAT will sell the excess from wheat or sugar beet. News back to the Grid. Professor John Pickett, chair of the Royal Society biofuels working group, said: “There is a huge THE UK’S FIRST ecological amount of excitement around these e-commerce website, fuels. The government has made a www.online-ecosurvey.co.uk, commitment that 5 per cent of all THE WALES INSTITUTE of has been launched by ADAS, fuels used for road vehicles should Sustainable Energy, under providers of environmental and come from biofuels by 2010. construction at the Centre for rural solutions and policy advice. “Our study will investigate what Alternative Technology (CAT) in It will enable a range of environ- could realistically be achieved in sumption, and is engaged in other Machynlleth, will showcase a range mental services to be bought terms of cost, yield and environ- programmes contributing to the of new renewable technologies online, and is targeted at the land mental impacts, particularly in rela- sustainable use of energy. including a new solar roof. and property development indus- tion to minimising greenhouse gas Electrolux’s chief executive officer The new 6kW photovoltaic (PV) try, as well as engineers, architects, emissions.” Hans Stråberg says that energy effi - roof will generate electricity for the planners and surveyors. The working group is expected ciency has improved by about 40% new Institute, which is CAT’s A particular concern at this time to report on its findings in autumn in the last decade for the com- biggest ever project – a mini-univer - of year is problems for land devel- this year.. pany’s major appliances. sity teaching all kinds of environ- opment and engineering projects Anyone interested in contributing “We estimate that there are mental courses, a conference venue posed by species such as bats, evidence should contact the Royal about 200 million appliances that and an educational building for lizards and newts. Society or see the website are more than 10 years old current- If long-eared bats www.royalsoc.ac.uk/policy. ly in use in European households. are discovered, plan- By replacing these, we could cut ning modifications ELECTROLUX HAS won the carbon dioxide emissions by some could be required, sig- Sustainable Energy Award in 22 million tonnes per year, corre- nificantly delaying a the Corporate Commitment sponding to 6% of the EU’s Kyoto project, and great Category from the European target,” said Mr Stråberg. crested newts on a Commission in recognition of its building site could cost efforts to reduce energy consump- Artist’s impression of the Wales a developer in the tion of products, factories and serv- Institute of Sustainable Energy region of £80,000 to ices. The company has developed (courtesy of CAT) relocate. THE WVolume 17,oman Number 15 – Spring 2007 Engineerwww.wes.org.uk Karen Burt Award winner p6 Young Woman Engineer of the Year p7 Pensions for women p4 to raise its profile. I have recent- An ambassador for apprenticeships ly found out the Careers Wales, Cardiff & the Vale staff are ES member going to be awarding me with Young Woman Engineer of Ker ry Cope an equal opportunities award the Year winners...see pp 7-8 Wwas one of for the voluntary work that I four training success sto- undertook with them during ries from the manufactur- 2006. President’ s ing sector that were cele- “Winning the award really is message brated at the National a tribute to all of the people Training Awards’ gala cer- that helped to support me appy emony held in London in throughout my apprenticeship H New December. and beyond.” Year. Kerry initially planned Unfortunately, Kerry’s This to train as a solicitor, but employer went in the adminis- year has instead she undertook an tration during November last started apprenticeship with year. with a lot Llandaff Engineering in “Winning the award gave me of activi- 1998. This has led to an the confidence to see redun- ty. Some WES members and I impressive record of dancy as an opportunity,” said attended The Young Woman achievements – the latest Kerry. Engineer of the Year Award of which is a coveted “I am now employed as a ceremony, which this year was National Training Award. ing,” said Kerry. “I am a huge advo- general manager for a vehicle salvage a much bigger affair incorpo- During her apprenticeship Kerry cate of apprenticeships and engineer- and reclamation yard – and that is rating the presentation of the gained her ONC, a City & Guilds in ing. I volunteer as an engineering probably another story in the mak- Dyson Young Woman CAD and CNC Machining. She went ambassador for SETPoint Wales, act ing.” Apprentice of the Year Award on to achieve an HND, an NVQ Level as the Cluster contact for WES Wales Kerry received her award from and the Ford WISE Prize. 4 in management, City & Guilds in producing the newsletter, help with sports commentator, Colin Jackson. For those of you that aren’t Quality Assurance and is working the Careers Wales K’nex challenge, Colin Jackson said: “Training in aware, the WES has a long towards the CIPS Professional attend schools promoting engineering sport and business are very similar. In history with the Caroline Diploma. and management. both you can only achieve success if Haslett Memorial Trust. The In the middle of her apprentice- “I try to promote engineering in you develop your skills and are pre- Trust implemented the Young ship, she was asked to take on the general and not just amongst pared to overcome hurdles to reach Woman Engineer of the Year role formerly held by the company’s women. All of the National Training your goals!” Award 29 years ago in memo - purchasing manager, for which she stories are very impressive and show UK Skills runs the awards on behalf ry of Dame Caroline Haslett. received only a two-week introduc- that dedication and enthusiasm are a of the Department for Education and The trust was formed in 1945 tion to the job. winning combination. Skills. Entries are now open for the to commemorate the 21st In 2000, Kerry was named Barry “I believe that Britain does not 2007 National Training Awards. For anniversary of the Electrical College’s Best ONC Manufacturing actively promote and encourage engi- more information visit www.national- Association for Women. It Student, and the next year she was neering, and it falls to people like me trainingawards.com. became a memorial to Dame VGTA Mechanical Trainee of the Year. Caroline Haslett following her She won the University of Glamorgan death in 1957. Award for Best HND Manufacturing Academy will raise skills levels in manufacturing Dame Caroline was born in Student, and in 2004 was named he National Manufacturing Skills neering, electronics, mechanical 1895. In 1919 she became ELWa Learner of the Year. She was a TAcademy (NMSA) was launched engineering and metal trades, the first secretary of the Western Mail Woman of the Year at the end of January. It is one of motor vehicles (automotive), ship- Women’s Engineering Society finalist in 2005 and a WISE (Women the first National Skills Academies building, bio technology, nanotech- (she later became President in in Science, Engineering and to be approved by the Department nology, mathematics, and forensic 1940).