A revolutionary idea to supply zero-emission, cheaper and more efficient energy via micro-grids has won a prestigious scholarship for a young University of Newcastle engineering graduate.
Newcastle Electrical Branch Chair Olsen Garland GradIEAust has won the 2017 Sir Robert Menzies Memorial Scholarship in Engineering worth $75,000pa for his endeavour to challenge the monopoly of energy network providers.
Mr Garland said that he will use the scholarship to learn the business and marketing skills required to start his own company, for the benefit of the environment, Australian consumers and people in developing countries.
“I will be using this scholarship to attend the London Business School to complete my Masters of Business Administration (MBA)… and with the skills from this degree, my ideal goal would be to start my own entrepreneurial company that can supply consumers with electricity through micro-grids,” Mr Garland said.
“Micro-grids are much smaller networks that operate independently of the centralised network, which means that energy is cheaper because there are no transmission losses, more reliable and can be 100 per cent renewably sourced and backed up by a battery.”
Engineers Australia Newcastle General Manager Helen Link, who actively supported Mr Garland’s scholarship application, said that Mr Garland is a worthy recipient of the scholarship for his engineering nous, academic credentials and dedication to the community.
“Olsen is a very well-respected member of Engineers Australia for his keen participation in mentoring programs, school STEM involvement and Electrical College service, as well as for his 2013 University Medal from the University of Newcastle, voluntary work with the SES and fundraising for the Movember Foundation,” Mrs Link said.
“For the past few months, we have been following his journey with fingers crossed and I look forward to attending the presentation of his award in November.”
Mr Garland will endeavour to help Australia become a world leader in the field of micro-grid energy supply, and will expand his ideas into developing nations, starting with communities in South America next year.
“The new decentralised model of supplying electricity can reduce the 1.2 billion people that are living without electricity in developing nations, which can help break the poverty cycle and provide them with the opportunities we take for granted.”
Engineers Australia Chief Executive Officer Stephen Durkin FIEAust CPEng EngExec said that the organisation is thrilled for Mr Garland.
“Engineers Australia congratulates Olsen and is pleased that his contribution to the community through his active involvement with Engineers Australia was a supporting factor in him being awarded the 2017 Sir Robert Menzies Memorial Scholarship in Engineering.”
Mr Garland will formally receive his award in Sydney on Thursday 17 November 2016.
The Sir Robert Menzies Memorial Scholarship in Engineering by Menzies Foundation is awarded to the best and brightest engineers looking to do further study overseas.
Image: Olsen Garland. Courtesy University of Newcastle.