5th Conference Environmental Protection and Energy 8 December 2017
On 8th December 2017, the Silesian University of Technology (SUT) was once again home to the Environmental Protection and Energy (EPAE) Conference. This year marked the 5th edition of the conference, which took place in the ‘Center of New Technologies (CNT)’ building of the university in Gliwice.
The EPAE Conference is an annual event, organized by the CFAFE KIC InnoEnergy students at SUT. This activity is a part of the students’ coursework and emanates from the ‘learning by doing’/’Project-based learning’ approach inherent in KIC InnoEnergy programmes. However, this year’s edition was unique as it was the first event in Poland to be organized based on the principles of ‘Prince2 Methodology of Project Management’. The students at SUT, in collaboration with a group of Erasmus students and students from AGH, Krakow, simulated an organization. The hierarchy was defined in accordance with the Prince2 methodology, with the project manager playing the pivotal role.
All aspects of the project were recorded appropriately in documents, such as the ‘Project Initiation Document’, ‘Risk Registers’, etc. Students had a chance not only to test their competencies in project management but also to strengthen teamwork skills and finally presentation skills by giving presentations on their research.
Organized on an international level, by students from different countries, the conference allows research work to be presented not only in Polish but also in English, thus attracting a greater number of people. This year, with over 130 participants, more than 80 presentations were delivered. The participants presented a wide range of recent research work under the umbrella of ‘Energy and Environment’, discussing topics from environmental remediation measures and carbon capture and storage to generating energy from waste and renewable sources. In addition to this, the conference provided students with an opportunity to interact with professionals outside the presentation rooms.
The conference kicked-off, traditionally, with words of motivation and appreciation from Krzysztof PikoÅ„ PhD, DSc - programme director of CFAFE, and Magdalena Bogacka MSc– the member of the Steering Committee of the Conference. The Conference was officially opened by prof. Andrzej SzlÄ™k – dean of the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy. Then project manager Nouman Akram (CFAFE student) introduced all teams and team members. The inaugural presentation was delivered by prof. Ryszard BiaÅ‚ecki on the thought-provoking topic of “Cogeneration”. This was followed by a small session with CFAFE alumnus, Filip Szelejewski MSc, on his experience as a KIC InnoEnergy student and how it shaped his life after graduation. All the subsequent presentations were judged by a panel of experienced professors for their scientific significance and style and quality of delivery. Diplomas and gifts were presented as a token of appreciation to the top three presentations in each category.
Perhaps, the most awaited event of the conference was the dialogue on the energy challenges in Poland. A panel of experts, from academia and industry, shared their views on the topic. Applicability of strategies to reduce reliance on coal for energy generation and the potential of alternate energy sources were discussed, in the light of Poland’s energy policies. The panel concluded that since shifting dependence from coal will take time, it is more rational to conduct research on making this energy source and generation process cleaner and more efficient.
All research work presented at the conference is due to be published in the 5th edition of the book, ‘Contemporary Problems of Power Engineering and Environmental Protection’. The book will be published in 2 volumes; one for English and one for Polish manuscripts. Following this, the books will be distributed among the presenters and online in ‘Open Access Formula’.
All-in-all the conference was a perfect example of the success that can be achieved when individuals from different countries come together! This was an excellent example of actual implementation of blended learning scheme including Project Based Learning Methodology in actual teaching process in Clean Fossil and Alternative Fuels Energy Program.
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