In 2013, two engineering students from the Ateneo de Manila University bested more 25 other teams from around the world in Schneider Electric?s ?Go Green in the City? contest in Paris — an opportunity that allowed them to take part in the global search for viable energy management solutions and the chance to work with the global energy firm.
Alyssa Tricia Eloise Vintola and Lorenz Ray Payonga, both electronics and communications engineering scholars, were the overall global winner for their entry project, ?Oscillohump?, an alternative energy solution to harvest energy from road humps using the simple concept of electromagnetic induction as its physical foundation.
Whenever vehicles pass over the Oscillohump, they generate power to charge a battery, used to power DC loads such as LED street lamps, traffic lights, or CCTV cameras.
Since winning the grand prize at the Go Green 2013 competition, the duo got an all-expense paid visit to Schneider Electric?s facilities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the US, as well as Denmark. They also participated in orientation sessions with Schneider Electric employees and top-level executives.
?Not only were we able to see Schneider Electric facilities and observe operations in those countries, we also got to appreciate the sights, people, culture, and food there,? said Payonga.
?And of course, we were given the opportunity to share our project, insights, and culture as well,? he added.
More importantly, they were both offered the opportunity to join Schneider Electric. Vintola and Payonga are now working at Schneider Electric Philippines as graduate trainees for energy management solutions.
As Vintola shared, ?Winning the Go Green in the City Competition has given me the opportunity to share my experience in the hopes that our project may inspire more innovative solutions. It has also given me the opportunity to be part of a company that strives to make the most of energy. It also pushed me to always aim high and excel in the tasks I do. For even the simplest things that I do can have an impact in society.?
Following the win, Schneider Electric Philippines is hoping that Filipinos may again triumph global competition.
In teams of two, students from all over the world are invited to enter the competition and share their energy management ideas. The winning team per country will be mentored by Schneider Electric experts to help them better present their project.
The top 12 teams from all over the world will be invited to the Schneider Electric global headquarters in Paris in June 2015 to present their ideas in front of a jury.
The global winning team will win a trip to two countries of their choice and a career opportunity at Schneider Electric.
Claude Mazallon, country president of Schneider Electric Philippines said, “This competition aims to involve the younger generation on the current global energy situation that has impacted everyone. It also allows our Filipino students to contribute to the search for solutions to the global energy challenge while allowing them to learn from others.?
For the past four years, Go Green in the City has been part of Schneider Electric?s commitment in finding new ways of managing energy consumption more efficiently.
?Efficient energy management is a national discussion and our youth can contribute greatly to this. The Philippine team winning the competition in 2013 is just the tip of the iceberg of the amount of talent and contribution that we have yet to explore.?
Interested students may submit proposals up to November 15, 2015 through February 1, 2015.
The top 3 country finalists will be selected by a panel of experts and an announcement will be made on February 18, 2015. The country finals and awarding will be on March 6, 2015.
Country finalists will then compete in the East Asia finals. The winners of the East Asia competition will finally represent the region in the global competition in France.
