After lower than a yr in his job, a Scottish Water apprentice has clinched each Scottish and UK high awards for his modern work and presentation on utilizing the pure stream of water to generate electrical energy.
Impressed by an industry-leading hydropower scheme at his native web site in Falkirk, Zac Mooney introduced on the Pipeline Industries Guild Skilled Growth Community Competitors. At simply 22 years outdated and competing towards {industry} professionals with far better expertise, Zac first received the Scottish award earlier than then going onto to double his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 important clear water principal at Carron Valve Chamber will present almost 20% of the vitality wants for the close by Dalderse Waste Water Remedy Works.
The modern mission, which is being developed by Scottish Water Horizons, Scottish Water’s industrial subsidiary, is ready to be one of many first in Europe the place a clear water provide powers a wastewater web site.
Expressing his gratitude, Zac stated: “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 web zero group by 2040, and Scottish Water Horizons is delivering many tasks in step with this purpose. My work has a robust give attention to the setting which is one thing I’m very enthusiastic about.
“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 method:
“Zac distinguished himself through the use of a prop on stage – a small strain decreasing valve to reveal the power-generating potential in our pipes and flows. His successful presentation attracted important curiosity from attendees, who had been impressed by the carbon discount and value saving features.
“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 Crew highlighting the numerous nature of alternatives accessible by means of its apprenticeship programmes.
Rachel Bridge, Chair of the Pipeline Industries Guild, stated:
“The Guild is enthusiastic about nurturing expertise and the Skilled Growth Community Presentation Competitors gives a platform for people to showcase innovation, share greatest 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 yr’s competitors, Zac Mooney’s successful presentation on Harnessing the Hydropower in Pipes was a artistic presentation of a round answer harnessing vitality 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.”