Action Renewables, Northern Ireland’s leading renewable energy charity, has announced its commitment to funding a scholarship programme with Ulster University.   The Action Renewables Energy Storage Scholarship will be open to Ulster University students starting an MSc in Energy Storage (full time) at the Belfast Campus in September 2023. 

As a charity, Action Renewables aims to mitigate against the effects of climate change, and this new Scholarship is intended to support students in that goal.

Terry Waugh, Chief Executive of Action Renewables spoke of his pride at today’s announcement, “I am absolutely thrilled with the new scholarship programme.  As we celebrate 20 years of our charity this year, we wanted to mark the occasion with a significant contribution to the enhancement of education around climate change, and to be able to support students on this master’s degree course is a wonderful way to do that.”

Professor Philip Griffiths, academic at the Ulster University Centre for Sustainable Technologies said “Radical change is required to our energy economy, and central to this will be the adoption of energy storage technologies, both small and large scale, domestic and grid based, so that we can adopt a zero-carbon energy system.

“Covering all tuition fees plus a stipend to help with living costs, this generous scholarship will provide a potentially life-changing opportunity to a student by significantly improving their employability, as the scholar’s new expertise will cater to the growing demand for green jobs in Northern Ireland and beyond, especially within energy supply, transmission, distribution companies, and consultancies.”

Dr Caterina Brandoni, Course Director of the MSc Energy Storage added “Growing industry and public sector understanding of the scientific and technological challenges associated with energy systems is essential for us to transition to a net-zero carbon society and this scholarship aims to help develop this knowledge.

“It has been a delight to work with Terry and the team from Action Renewables to establish this exciting opportunity and we are very grateful for their far-sighted support.”

Based in the Ulster University Belfast School of Architecture & the Built Environment, the Centre for Sustainable Technologies undertakes multidisciplinary research to develop innovations and solutions in sustainable renewable energy, building design and construction materials, and transport and environmental modification technologies.

The MSc in Energy Storage explores thermal and electrical storage technologies and how intermittent renewable energy sources can be mixed into the existing energy system.

For further information on the Action Renewables Energy Storage Scholarship, visit: Ulster University Scholarship

Pictured at the launch of the scholarship at Ulster University Belfast campus are:  Terry Waugh, CEO, Action Renewables, Dr Caterina Brandoni, Course Director, Ulster University, Professor Philip Griffiths, Ulster University, and Professor Neil Hewitt, Head of Belfast School of Architecture & the Built Environment.

For media inquiries please contact Jo Crossley, Marketing and Communications Manager, Action Renewables, jo.crossley@actionrenewables.co.uk – 028 9590 1195

Notes to editors 

• For the past 20 years, Action Renewables has been a leading registered NI Charity with the aim of achieving our charitable objectives through the delivery of renewable energy projects across Northern Ireland and specific global projects that will have a direct benefit to the communities in which they serve.  Our vision is to create a Northern Ireland which recognises the serious impacts of climate change, and we will take measures to prevent and mitigate against those impacts, through the promotion of renewable energy products and services, addressing energy efficiency, alongside new developments in renewable fuel and energy. Visit www.actionrenewables.co.uk  for further information.

• Ulster University is a modern, forward-looking institution with student experience at the very heart of everything we do. Our high-quality teaching, informed by world-leading research across key sectors, boosts the economy and has a positive impact on the lives of people around the world. https://www.ulster.ac.uk/business

• Information on the Ulster University Centre for Sustainable Technology is here: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/research/topic/built-environment/sustainable-technologies

• Applications for the scholarship will be made to Ulster University directly https://www.ulster.ac.uk/scholarships