After lower than a 12 months in his job, a Scottish Water apprentice has clinched each Scottish and UK prime awards for his modern work and presentation on utilizing the pure movement of water to generate electrical energy.
Impressed by an industry-leading hydropower scheme at his native website in Falkirk, Zac Mooney offered on the Pipeline Industries Guild Skilled Improvement Community Competitors. At simply 22 years previous and competing in opposition to {industry} professionals with far better expertise, Zac first received the Scottish award earlier than then going onto to double his success on the UK-wide occasion held in Coventry.
Addressing an viewers of over 100 {industry} consultants, Zac described how a turbine put in on a vital clear water principal at Carron Valve Chamber will present almost 20% of the power wants for the close by Dalderse Waste Water Therapy Works.
The modern venture, which is being developed by Scottish Water Horizons, Scottish Water’s business subsidiary, is about to be one of many first in Europe the place a clear water provide powers a wastewater website.
Expressing his gratitude, Zac mentioned: “I’m grateful to have been given the chance to showcase my hydropower learnings so early in my Scottish Water profession.
“We’re dedicated to turning into a internet zero group by 2040, and Scottish Water Horizons is delivering many tasks in step with this aim. My work has a robust give attention to the setting which is one thing I’m very captivated with.
“The support from Scottish Water Horizons has been instrumental in my development and has given me the confidence to compete at such a high level at Pipeline Industries Guild Competitions.”
Scottish Water Horizons Challenge Supervisor and Zac’s mentor, John Lenehan, highlighted Zac’s distinctive strategy:
“Zac distinguished himself through the use of a prop on stage – a small strain lowering valve to display the power-generating potential in our pipes and flows. His successful presentation attracted important curiosity from attendees, who have been impressed by the carbon discount and price saving elements.
“Zac has had a busy first nine months with us but has taken all these new experiences which come from a Scottish Water apprenticeship in his stride and has done brilliantly.”
The publicly owned utility has 175 apprentices throughout the enterprise with Zac’s achievements within the Horizons Hydropower Group highlighting the numerous nature of alternatives out there via its apprenticeship programmes.
Rachel Bridge, Chair of the Pipeline Industries Guild, mentioned:
“The Guild is captivated with nurturing expertise and the Skilled Improvement Community Presentation Competitors supplies a platform for people to showcase innovation, share finest apply and be taught collectively. I used to be delighted to attend and sit on the panel of judges for the ultimate spherical of this 12 months’s competitors, Zac Mooney’s successful presentation on Harnessing the Hydropower in Pipes was a artistic presentation of a round resolution harnessing power from one course of to utilise in one other. It was glorious and a worthy winner.
“Zac presented confidently with interactive elements to engage the audience. We are delighted that his idea has now been shared amongst the pipeline operators in the UK and look forward to seeing this idea progress across the water networks and wider pipeline industry sectors.”
