Young members provide catalyst for global energy debate

A series of passionate, interactive debates on topical engineering themes is off to a powerful start, thanks to the Institution’s inspiring young members.

The Global Engineering Debate, initiated by the Institution’s Young Members Board (YMB), will bring together young engineers from around the globe for a powerful discussion on whether fossil, nuclear, or renewable energy sources should fuel our future.

The debate will be held on 9 April and will launch a series of debates on topical engineering themes and follows a test event, which took place in Reading in November. The photos and video on this page have been taken from the Reading event.

Chaired by the Institution’s Director of Engineering, Dr Colin Brown, the debate will see three young engineers present their arguments to a live audience in London as well as those following the event from across the world via webinar. Remote audiences will be able to join in with the live debate, through Twitter and Facebook. Highlights will be available afterwards on On Demand, the Institution’s new video platform.

In order to gauge whether the debate has changed anyone’s mind, prior to it taking place the audience will be asked to vote on which energy source they believe should supply us in future. The results will be revealed at the end, to determine whether or not the debate has had the power to change anyone’s attitudes to energy.

Engineers of all ages from across the world, as well as school, college and university students and members of the public wanting to follow a wide-ranging and challenging discussion are welcome to participate.

Colin said: “It is so refreshing to be part of a debate led by our younger members. The passion and clarity of their arguments are a welcome contrast to the cagey comments and sometimes careful language of more seasoned campaigners.

“Our initial aim was simply to find out what the energy world looked like through the eyes of engineers starting out on their careers. We were delighted with the response: a wave of enthusiasm coming from those who knew they would be there to deliver that world in the coming years.”



Debate format
The debate will begin with three young advocates of energy sources each speaking for a short time about their specialist topic.

Sam Lisney BEng MSc AMIMechE EngTech will speak on fossil fuels. Sam is a graduate mechanical engineer at Petrofac Engineering Ltd. He completed an MSc in energy systems and thermal processes at Cranfield University and, though he began his career in aerospace, now focuses on the upstream oil and gas industry. However, Sam retains a large interest into fossil fuel power generation, and methods to reduce carbon output and increasing generation efficiencies.    

Patrick Griffith BEng MSc MIMechE he will speak about nuclear power. Patrick is a nuclear engineer with AMEC Foster Wheeler. Having grown up in the United Arab Emirates, he gained a BEng Mechanical Engineering and MSc in Nuclear Science at the University of Manchester, and then joined EDF in Paris. Patrick is currently deployed in Warsaw helping the Polish government set up the country’s first nuclear power station.

Charles Briggs MEng MSc CEng MIMechE will outline why he thinks renewable sources of energy – from intermittent, such as wind and solar, to non-intermittent, such as hydro and biomass – must provide our power into the future. Charles is a senior consultant at K2 Management and is based in Aberdeen. He gained a distinction in his MSc in Renewable Energy Engineering from Heriot-Watt University in 2010.

The following issues will be further explored after the young engineers have delivered their presentations:

• cost
• availability of fuel sources related to the technology
• political attractiveness
• efficiency
• environmental status
• distribution methods

Attendees will also have an opportunity to continue the discussions and network with the panel and fellow audience members after the debate has concluded.

Key details
Event name: Global Engineering Debate.
Date: 9 April 2015.
Time: Doors open at 6pm for registration and refreshments. The event starts at 6.30pm and finishes at 8pm.
Location: Lecture Theatre, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 1 Birdcage Walk, Westminster, London, SW1H 9JJ.
Tickets: Tickets are free but must be booked in advance. Book your place.
Take part: Follow the event on Twitter and Facebook.