panel profiles - energy debate

8/7/2019 Panel Profiles - Energy Debate

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Copyright 2008 County Durham Development Company

Expert Panel Debate:Panel Profiles


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Context:This is the fourth session of a quarterly series of debates that NETPark organises arounddifferent technology themes. Senior people from around the region are brought together todiscuss the technology theme the debate is then converted into a three page article for NETWorks magazine, and an edited transcript will be made available online.

Refreshments:Tea, coffee and water will be available throughout and a light buffet will be served afterwardsfor the panel and the attendees.

Panel Profiles: Andrew Mill, CEO, NaREC Andrew has been involved in energy for most of his career and brings to NaREC a wideknowledge of and experience of the industry. After graduating from the University of Strathclyde in Electrical Engineering and Electronic Science he worked for NEI Peebles, partof the Rolls Royce group where he was Director and General Manager of the projectsdivision. He has also worked in senior roles with British Energy, Aggreko as well as Vianet.His last post saw him take responsibility for the strategic development of the European MarineEnergy Centre in Orkney where he was Managing Director.

John Barton, Director, Renew, Centre for Process InnovationRenew is a new organisation to work in partnership to help put the whole of the North East of England at the forefront of the UKs low carbon energy industry. Working with businesses,communities, funders, regulators, technology suppliers and others, RENEW helps excitinglow carbon energy projects get off the ground and advise organisations on how to exploit thecommercial opportunities of low carbon. John is a chemical engineer with 11 years in theprocess industry, 20 years in energy services (Dalkia and Elyo) and, most recently, 2 yearswith the Carbon Trust.

Lynn Miles, Chief Executive Officer, Romag HoldingsRomag, based in Leadgate, Consett, is a manufacturer of laminated glass products for thearchitectural and security markets. Romag invested in new technology and equipment in2003 to manufacture Building Integrated Photovoltaic glass to generate electricity. Lyn, aChartered Company Secretary, joined Romag in 1982, became Chief Executive in 2000 andwas instrumental in the companys decision to invest in the renewable energy sector.Romags Solar BIPV is sold worldwide and now represents 70% of the companys sales,some 23.5m.

Professor Dermot Roddy, Science City Professor of Energy, Newcastle UniversityDermot Roddy joined Newcastle University as Science City Professor of Energy in 2008 after a period of some 20 years in the energy industry and petrochemical sectors. He is also

Director of the Sir Joseph Swan Institute for Energy Research, which integrates energyresearch across Newcastle University and links with a powerful external industrial base in theenergy sector. Outside of the university he is Chairman of North East Biofuels, FinanceDirector of the UK Hydrogen Association and Vice President of the Northern EnglandElectricity Supply Companies Association. Prior to coming to Newcastle University he wasChief Executive of Renew Tees Valley Ltd a company which he set up in 2003 to create aviable and vibrant economy in the Tees Valley based on renewable energy and recycling where he was instrumental in a wide range of major renewable energy and low-carbonprojects relating to biomass, biofuels, hydrogen, carbon capture & storage, wind and


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advanced waste processing technologies. From 1998 to 2002 he ran the crude oil refinery onTeesside as site director for a $5 bn-turnover facility before moving to the Netherlands to workon Petroplus international growth plans. Dermots experience in the petrochemical industrybegan in 1985, involving a variety of UK and international roles in operations, engineering andtechnology with ICI and others. Prior to that he developed leading-edge technology atQueens University, Belfast, for optimisation and control in aerospace applications.

Professor David Wood, School of Engineering, Durham UniversityProfessor David Wood has over 30 years experience in semiconductor materials, devices andtechnology with over 110 publications. His recent work has focused on Microsystems, withnumerous research grants and awards f rom EPSRC, the regional development agency andindustry. A clean room funded by the Royal Society and the Wolfson Foundation was openedin 2004, and there will be a further expansion of this facility in 2009. Recent work includes aliquid density sensor based on SAW techniques, a monolithic probe card for testing integratedcircuits, a microgripper for cell manipulation, a probe for two-dimensional measurement of air flow, terahertz frequency devices and an RF MEMS varactor with world leading performance.The current portfolio of research includes an investigation into photovoltaics using organic,flexible materials, and the adaptation of these to energy recovery systems.

A bout NETWorks magazine:NETWorks is the only title that showcases the scientific and technological excellence of theNorth East region to key influencers and decision makers in both public and private sectors,not just in the North East but nationally and internationally. The mailing list includes KTNs,Research Councils, British Ambassadors and government ministers. Each issue has a focusaround a different technology and the features and interviews follow a structure fromfundamental research to successful commercialisation:

Cutting edge research from the regions universities Support from the commercialisation framework Case studies and success stories from companies in the region

panel profiles - energy debate

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