EngD graduate Marek Kubik wins Young Energy Professional of the Year Award

(19 November 2015) - Dr Marek Kubik, an EngD graduate from the Technologies for Sustainable Built Environments industrial doctorate centre at the University of Reading, has won the Energy Institute's Young Energy Professional of the Year Award at the EI Awards.

The citation for the award, sponsored by Aramco, said:

"Until recently energy storage wasn't considered a commercially viable technology. Marek challenged this misconception, bringing AES' AdvancionTM solution to Northern Ireland through market innovation. The 20MW resource array is the largest in the UK, and this game-changing solution will begin delivering real value to consumers from December 2015.

Kubik graduated from Reading's TSBE centre in 2013, having completed a four-year research project for Northern Ireland power generator AES, looking at how to manage the balance between conventional generation and renewable wind power. His thesis highlighted the merits of 100MW of energy storage on the Irish system in managing ramping and in relaxing some of the constraints that currently keep conventional generation on and force wind to be curtailed (see AEngD April 2014 news release).

The Energy Institute (EI) is the professional body for the energy industry, developing and sharing knowledge, skills and good practice towards a safe, secure and sustainable energy system. The EI supports over 22,000 individuals working in or studying energy and 250 companies worldwide and set up the Energy Institute (EI) Awards to recognise the value of energy to society and celebrate the contribution the energy industry and its people make to progress, innovation and excellence.

Over 140 entries were submitted for this year’s competition. The judging panel, made up of senior industry representatives, shortlisted the four best energy projects and individuals for each of the nine award categories.

The winners of the 16th EI Awards competition were announced at the prestigious EI Awards ceremony. This black-tie dinner took place on 12th November 2015 at the Sheraton Park Lane, London. Inspirational former Paralympian and 11-times gold medal winner Baroness Tanni Grey-Thomson DBE hosted the evening and presented the competition winners with their awards.

Marek Kubik has been active in the Association of Engineering Doctorates, representing EngD Alumni on the AEngD's steering committee. He was also a graduate finalist in the AEngD's 2013 Engineering Research Writer of the Year Awards.