Presentations which range in focus from the development of the UK’s largest water infrastructure project to hydrogen fuel cell technology for bus transport and a new low carbon heating solution for Dublin have been shortlisted for Engineers Ireland’s Best Presentation Award.

Co-sponsored by Beale & Co and Griffiths & Armour, the Best Presentation Award recognises members of Engineers Ireland who have contributed to the engineering profession by delivering outstanding technical presentations to member-engineers during the 2021 - 2022 lecture season.

The three projects shortlist for this year’s award are:

Dublin District Heating System - a new low carbon heating solution for Dublin by James Nolan, Assistant Engineer, Victor Coe, Senior Executive Engineer and Stephen Cull, Executive Engineer with Dublin City Council. Nominated by the Public Service division.

Dublin City Council has committed to progressing the Dublin District Heating System, which when complete will be the largest district heating network in Ireland. The network is a low carbon alternative to traditional heating alternatives, and will reduce the Dublin’s reliance on imported fuels, by using local heat sources, ultimately transforming the way the City uses heat energy.

In this presentation, the Dublin City Council project team, comprising of James Nolan, Victor Coe and Stephen Cull, introduce the project, describing what has been done to date, and the longer-term strategies of the project.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology - Bus Transport by Ray Connolly, Senior Technical Manager Engineering with Bus Éireann. Nominated by the North East region.

In this presentation, Ray Connolly shares his extensive knowledge of hydrogen fuel cell applications and their vehicular use for automotive propulsion, as well as a perspective on the overall strategy for implementing zero emission public transport into the middle and long-term time horizons. 

Ray outlines the scale of transition from internal combustion engine vehicles to zero emission vehicles in Europe (including heavy and medium commercial vehicles, buses, and coaches) which shows the enormity of change necessary to help mitigate climate change. 

Thames Tideway - Project Progress by Colin Murphy Chartered Engineer – Engineering Manager for Tideway on the west section of the project. Nominated by the GB region.

London’s 150-year-old sewer system was originally built for a population less than half its current size. The Thames Tideway project will reduce untreated discharges into the River Thames by tens of millions of tons per year, improving the quality of life for Londoners. At 25 km long and 65m below ground, the Thames Tideway will clean up one of London’s greatest natural assets, the iconic River Thames, protecting it for generations to come.

In this presentation Colin Murphy detailed the development of the Thames Tideway Tunnel, the largest water infrastructure project ever undertaken in the UK and provides an update on project progress, project innovations and the experience of delivering major infrastructure in the capital during a pandemic.

Commenting on today’s announcement and congratulating those shortlisted, Damien Owens, Director General of Engineers Ireland, said: “I would like to I would thank each of our members who contributed to the rich and diverse catalogue of presentations delivered to our member community during the 2021/2022 lecture season.

“Our members play a pivotal role facilitating knowledge sharing amongst our members in ways that are relevant, flexible, and local. I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to our members who have been shortlisted for this year’s Best Presentation Award and I would like to thank Beale & Co and Griffiths & Armour for their continued support and sponsorship of this award”.

Tara Cosgrove, Partner, Beale & Company, commented: “At Beale & Co, we are passionate about Continuing Professional Development, and we are pleased to sponsor the Best Presentation Award. As a specialist construction and engineering law firm, we place great value on the contribution of highly skilled engineers to the industry and are proud to offer our continued support to Engineers Ireland and their members. On behalf of Beale & Co, I would like to congratulate each of the presenters shortlisted for this year’s award.”

Graeme Tinney, CEO of Griffiths & Armour Europe, added: “On behalf of Griffiths & Armour, I would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to each of the presenters shortlisted for the Best Presentation Award for their contribution to Engineers Ireland’s community of engineers.  As advocates for continuous improvement and professional development, we are very proud to support an award which recognises excellence and the valuable contribution of individuals who promote and raise standards across the profession.”

For more information on the Best Presentation Award and to find out more about Engineers Ireland’s communities and groups, visit: https://www.engineersireland.ie/Professionals/Communities-Groups/Best-Presentation-Award