CSM leads Renewable Energy delegation for Her Majesty The Queen's visit

Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh visited the University of Exeter on Wednesday 2 May 2012 to officially open the Forum development, as part of the Diamond Jubilee Tour.  

During the visit, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh met University staff and students and representatives of the counties of Devon and Cornwall. Fifty people from Cornwall were presented to The Queen, representing Renewable Energy, Modern Communications, the Creative Industries, Leisure and Food and Farming. Camborne School of Mines (CSM) had the privilege of leading the delegation representing the Renewable Energy sector.

The group included first year Renewable Energy student, Calum Kenny, recent graduates Adam Longfield and Amanda Pound, and BEng Mining Engineering alumni of some 30 years ago, Peter Ledingham and Nigel Halladay.

Professor Frances Wall, Head of CSM, said: “The invitation to lead this sector is wonderful recognition of the role that CSM has played in renewable energy in Cornwall since the ‘Hot Dry Rocks’ project, including the launch of the UK’s first Renewable Energy degree in 2003 and our research in marine renewable energy.”

Her Majesty has been Patron of the Camborne School of Mines since 1953. During The Queen’s reign, CSM has maintained its international reputation for educating mining engineers. CSM’s portfolio of teaching and research has significantly expanded, and now spans mining and minerals engineering, geology, environmental management, geotechnics, surveying and renewable energy.

Today the renewable energy sector in Cornwall is a key local growth sector, and has developed from the region’s long mining tradition. Indeed, some of the pioneers of renewable energy in Cornwall were originally CSM Mining Engineering graduates. Cornwall has significant and diverse renewable energy resources and has led the UK in the development and exploitation of wind power. At the Cornwall Campus, CSM pioneered geothermal energy research in leading the £40m Hot Dry Rocks project and is now developing shoreline wave power conversion technology.

The Renewable Energy delegation (see photo below) comprised:

• Professor Frances Wall, Head of Camborne School of Mines
• Cllr Steve Knightley, Mayor of Wadebridge
• Mr Calum Kenny, first year Renewable Energy student
• Mr Adam Longfield, Renewable Energy graduate of 2010, employed by Natural Generation Ltd, St Agnes, Cornwall
• Ms Amanda Pound, Renewable Energy graduate of 2010, now working as knowledge transfer fellow with A&P Marine, Falmouth, in collaboration with Camborne School of Mines
• Dr Ryan Law, Managing Director Geothermal Engineering Ltd
• Dr Peter Ledingham, Operations Director, Geothermal Engineering Ltd, BEng Mining Engineering graduate of 1980 and former member of the ‘Hot Dry Rocks’ project
• Mr Nigel Halladay, Managing Director, Calidus Engineering, BEng Mining Engineering graduate of 1979 and former member of the ‘Hot Dry Rocks’ project
• Mr Mark Kneebone, Calidus Engineering Electronics Engineer
• Professor Stephen Frankel, Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network (WREN)
• Mr David Daniel, Commercial Director of A&P Marine Ltd

The Jubilee cakes as part of the College celebration following Her Majesty The Queen's visit.