PGW Participates in Microgrid Competition for Area College Students
Posted on: Feb 21, 2022Competition kicks off National Engineers Week at
PGW by recognizing the achievements of local engineers
PHILADELPHIA (February 21, 2022) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is joining Temple University, College of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; and Burns Engineering Inc, in launching Innovate the Future: Collegiate Microgrid Design Competition.
The competition calls for the design and development of portable microgrids providing uninterrupted power for urban and remote communities. Innovate the Future is open to teams of Philadelphia-area senior undergraduate or graduate-level students.
The competition will occur over two phases:
- The “Theoretical Design” phase (from February 2022 to August 2022): student teams will develop software designs of optimized portable microgrids. Six teams will be selected, based on their designs, to receive $200 each and participate in Phase 2; and
- The “Practical Implementation” phase (from October 2022 to September 2023): The six finalist teams will implement their designs. Three winning teams will be selected to receive $500 each.
The microgrid competition corresponds with National Engineers Week 2022 (Feb. 20 - 26) and its theme of “Reimagining the Possible,” which includes a call to “engage students in engineering.”
Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) in 1951, National Engineers Week promotes a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of, and interest in engineering and technology careers. During the week, NPSE will celebrate how engineers make a difference in the world; encourage conversations about the need for engineers, technicians, and technologists; and recognize how engineers create new possibilities.
In addition to aligning with Engineers Week objectives through the microgrid competition, PGW celebrates the valuable contributions of its employee engineers who:
- Manage complex software and hardware systems that allow PGW field operations and gas processing employees to monitor and control the critical equipment (valves, motors, and pumps) needed to distribute and store natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
- Build and manage a Geographic Information System (GIS) to assess infrastructure and optimize field operations.
- Design natural gas mains to renew over 35 miles of underground pipelines annually as part of PGW’s Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Program to improve safety and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).
- Implement technology and strategies for PGW’s methane reduction efforts to reduce emissions by 80 percent by 2050.
For more information about National Engineering week, visit nspe.org/resources/partners-and-state-societies/engineers-week.
To discover engineering employment opportunities at Philadelphia Gas Works, visit pgworks.com/careers/employment-opportunities.
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