Students learn about inner workings at national control centre
Fifty students from all over Ireland gathered in Dublin on Tuesday, to discuss and ideate on climate action and environmental sustainability, as part of a unique event co-hosted by EirGrid, in partnership with Young Social Innovators (YSI).
The teenagers, including students from Collinstown Park Community College in Clondalkin had the opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the National Control Centre, the hub from which EirGrid manages Ireland’s electricity grid, and to provide the grid operator with their views on how they’d like to see Ireland’s energy system develop for the future.
As well as a series of thought-provoking workshops on issues including the Sustainable Development Goals, climate justice, biodiversity, and degrowth, the students, who are all tackling climate related issues as part of their YSI participation, brainstormed about how to develop their own project ideas alongside EirGrid staff.
The Collinstown Park Community College students’ project – ‘Out with the New, in with the Old’ aims to support more sustainable consumer habits by running two events.
Darragh Smith Martin, from Collinstown Park Community College explained: “We’re going to run a swap shop, where students can bring in clothes they don’t wear and put them in a box and take out clothes they want.
“And the second event will be a fashion show, with people wearing outfits from materials we put together.”
Student, Molly Grimes, explained that by learning skills in home economics, this will help the group with creating the outfits.
Abbey Bell, Darragh Smith, Martin Essiet Thompson, Molly Grimes and Ruby Church from Collinstown Park Community College at the EirGrid and YSI ‘Powering Up’ event
EirGrid is the Climate Action and Energy partner to Young Social Innovators, a national organisation that engages thousands of young people annually in co-creating and developing innovative ideas to address social challenges.
Speaking about the Powering Up event, Michael Mahon, chief infrastructure officer, EirGrid, said: “We are proud to partner with Young Social Innovators on this pioneering event, in what is an inspiring coming together of young minds and EirGrid employees.
“As we work to transform the power system for future generations, it is only right that we listen to and involve young people. We gained new insights and perspectives from these young people, as we look to secure the transition to a low carbon future.”
Roger Warnock, CEO, Young Social Innovators said: “How we live and consume more sustainably is undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges we are facing today, both locally and globally. Seeing young people actively engaging in important discussions and having their ideas and voices heard by those operating our national power grid is truly inspiring.
“Young people must be part of any discussions on how we as a country plan for a more sustainable future and today’s event could serve as a prototype for wider youth consultations on climate and sustainability related issues.
“We are extremely grateful to EirGrid for co-hosting today’s event and for the opportunities they have provided for these young people.”
