Dr Gareth Kennedy
Lecturer in Mining Engineering
Telephone: 01326 371876
Dr Kennedy became a lecturer in mining engineering at the Camborne School of Mines in 2009. His main research interests are in underground mining wireless communications, instrumentation for improving mine safety and automation, electricity demand reduction strategies for mining operations, energy management technology for domestic and industrial use. He is involved in a project developing underwater marine data transmission for renewable energy sources. Most recently, he is the project coordinator of LOWCARB (see below).
PROJECTS (Ongoing and recent)
RFCS LOWCARB (Low carbon mine site energy initiatives): Project lead/coordinator for ~€4m European Commission funded RFCS project, involving nine partners across Europe, which sets out to reduce the net carbon effect of coal mining operations on the environment. Our partners include universities, companies and coal-related research institutions from the UK, Poland, Spain and Slovenia. Initiatives include, demand side management/reduction strategies, on-site methane utilisation for electricity generation and compressed air energy storage (CAES). See the LOWCARB page for further information.
Mines Rescue Service Ltd, UK. Contract research project. Recent work has involved researching instrumentation for improving mine safety including fire detection, and further work on enhancing underground wireless tracking/location technology.
Symboticware Inc, Canada: Contract research project developing Zigbee wireless technology for underground mining telemetry.
ZigPlug Ltd: Dr Kennedy is one of the founding directors of a university spin-out company called ZigPlug Ltd. The company is developing a wireless energy monitoring and control device for domestic applications. Utilising wireless mesh networking technology at the core, it is a device that complements future Smart Metering and Smart Grid related technology. The prototype has been developed using ERDF/SWRDA-funded Knowledge Escalator ‘Proof of Concept‘ grant.
Kennedy Networks Ltd: A university spin-out company formed by Dr Kennedy to commercialise the underground mine tracking system technology for the mining industry. The product is currently being further developed to enable more accurate tracking, location and proximity awareness capability, and is generating industrial interest. The product and business has been initiated through the successful award of an ERDF/SWRDA-funded Knowledge Escalator ‘Proof of Concept‘ grant. See the Communications Systems page for further information.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership: Academic supervisor on KTP project between J+S Ltd and the University of Exeter that seeks to develop a generic mooring tension monitoring system for marine renewable energy devices.
Current PhD projects: Demand Reduction and Management Strategies for Mining Operations.
TEACHING
Main teaching duties involve leading three modules on the Mining Engineering and Renewable Energy undergraduate degree programmes. Subjects include: electrical and electronic engineering, mine software tools, feasibility study, and supervising final year dissertation and PhD projects.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering, first class, University of Hertfordshire, 2002.
PhD 'High resilience wireless mesh networking characteristics and safety applications within underground mines', CSM, University of Exeter, 2006.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET)
Master of the Camborne School of Mines (MCSM)
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
2009-Present: Lecturer at the Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter.
2005-2008: Mines Rescue Service Ltd (Knowledge Transfer Partnership with CSM)
Roles: Project manager on European funded projects, working with various partners across the EU. Successfully developed wireless mesh networking technology for underground mine safety applications from concept to completion, including tracking of personnel/vehicles underground. KTP scheme included training in business and management.
2000-2002: Home Office (UK Government, Police Scientific Development Branch)
Roles: Electronic design engineer for audio department working on RF, microphone/audio, DSP, analogue and digital electronics, mechanical design and project management.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS (Also see publications page)
Bedford M.D and Kennedy G.A. (2012) Evaluation of ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4) Time-of-Flight-Based Distance Measurement for Application in Emergency Underground Navigation. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. [Accepted for publication]
Kennedy G.A., Bedford M.D., Foster P. and Jones B. (2012) Underground tracking and positioning techniques using wireless mesh networking technology. In: Proceedings of the 34th International Conference of Safety in Mines Research Institutes, 7-10 December, New Delhi India.
Kennedy G.A., Bedford, M.D. and Jobling, S. (2012) Early-warning detection of fires in coal mines using POC sensors and merged visual-IR imaging technology. In: Proceedings of the 34th International Conference of Safety in Mines Research Institutes, 7-10 December, New Delhi India.
Kennedy G.A., Foster P.J., Faulks C.I., Brenkley D., Bedford M.D. and Gibson D. (2007) Improving underground mine safety with high resilience wireless mesh smart sensor networks. In: Proceedings of the 32nd International Conference of Safety in Mines Research Institutes, 27-29 September, Beijing, China.
Kennedy G.A. and Foster P.J (2006) High Resilience Networks and Microwave Propagation in Underground Mines. In: European Conference on Wireless Technology (ECWT 06), 10-12 September, Manchester, UK, p.193-196.
