Monday 11 May 2020

Stafford students’ innovation wins Energy Institute climate change award

Students from Walton High School in Stafford have won the first-ever Energy Institute (EI) climate change award with an innovative wastewater power generation device.

The award recognises projects developed by young people aged 11-18 that target a lasting reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with the UK’s goal of reaching net zero by 2050.

Students Harry Lunt, Eden Jones, James Hurst and Harvey Turner won first place with their ‘Blu Pipe’ drainpipe generator, a small-scale power generation device that can be fit to drainpipes anywhere in the world.

Apart from the £500 prize, the team will also work with the EI over the coming months and note their invention is suitable for mass production.

The students were chosen from more than 300 young people from across the country who were selected to be finalists of The Big Bang Competition, an annual contest designed to recognise and reward young people's achievements in all areas of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).