CSM graduate earns energy accolade

For his award-winning thesis, Charles produced a report on a wave energy converter software module for the Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN) wave modeling package. Originally from Jersey, Charles (22) has now relocated to Bristol to start a job as a wind analyst for RWE NPower Renewables.

Charles said: "I was delighted to find out that my thesis, which was based on increasing the accuracy of a simulation used to model the impact of wave energy converters deployment, had been selected as the winner of the 2009 COWRIE student awards. I really enjoyed working on this project as it allowed me to develop my understanding of wave energy technology and at the same time provide an original contribution to the industry. I would like to thank the COWRIE group for selecting my project for the award and for the team at the University of Exeter for all the support throughout the course of this project and my studies."

Exeter was the first UK university to establish an undergraduate degree in renewable energy. Based on the Cornwall Campus and part of the University’s Camborne School of Mines, the course is accredited by the Energy Institute and has support from a number of key renewable energy companies. Students benefit from a specialist renewable energy lab and field station, extensive fieldwork and an industrial placement. Around 90% of graduates are employed in the sector.

Dean Millar, Charles’ tutor and Head of Renewable Energy at the University of Exeter said: “Charles was a brilliant student and it’s great that his skill has been recognised more widely through this award. Charles’ work has fed directly into the groundbreaking research we are carrying out through PRIMaRE (the Peninsula Research Institute for Marine Renewable Energy), our joint institute for research into marine renewable energy with the University of Plymouth.”

Carleen Kelemen. Director of the Convergence Partnership Office, said: “Very many congratulations to Charles on this fantastic achievement – a real testament to his own endeavours and the calibre of staff and research at the University of Exeter’s Camborne School of Mines based at the Combined Universities in Cornwall Tremough Campus.”

Speaking on behalf of the COWRIE Education & Communications group and Board, Dr Carolyn Heeps commented: "The Cowrie Student Award scheme once again attracted submissions of a very high quality. We wish both students well in their future careers within the offshore renewables industry. Recent years have seen a significant increase in the number of students attracted to such courses to pursue careers in the offshore renewables industry.  This is an exciting time for students as the growth in the industry through Round 3 and future wave and tidal deployment will provide many varied opportunities for career development".