Dynamic engineering student takes top award

19 Feb 2010

Judy Black, a Queens University MEng student currently on a year long placement with Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), has taken the top award in the Northern Ireland heat of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) ‘Present Around the World’ competition.

The Warrenpoint Electrical and Electronic Engineering student presented on the topic of ‘Dynamic Line Ratings’, a project Judy has been investigating as part of her work at NIE.

Judy is delighted to have taken the top honours and looks forward to going through to the UK round of the competition later this year. She says, “It’s been great to put what I’ve learnt at university into a practical project which is of benefit to NIE. In order to meet the Government’s proposed targets on renewable energy, NIE will have to invest in considerable infrastructure extension over the next decade. This project looks at developing short term solutions to uprate overhead transmission lines without having to construct new ones. This is a long running project and I’m pleased to have been able to contribute new ideas to its development.”

If successful at UK level, Judy will go on to compete in the IET Global Final 2010 against young professionals from across the world.

Randal Gilbert, NIE Manager, Programme Management and Past Chair of IET Northern Ireland, says offering engineering students hands on experience in commercial companies is beneficial for both the company and the student. Randal says, “NIE has always been a strong supporter of both placement students and graduate engineers, offering clear opportunities for skills development and career progression. We are delighted Judy has taken the top honours against strong local competition and will continue to offer her all the mentoring and technical support needed as she develops what is a critical project for NIE.”

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