Tommy Ross, MEng Mechanical Engineering student, has been awarded just over $500 to help him prototype his final year project. As part of his project, Tommy is taking part in the Efficiency for Access Design Challenge that is led by Engineers without Borders in partnership with the Energy Savings Trust and organisations such as the IKEA Foundation.

The Challenge is about developing off-grid appliances in the developing world. Tommy’s project is to develop a solar powered DC cooker. The reason for this is because traditional wood and charcoal cooking is a significant hurdle to universal modern energy access that the 2030 targets for the Sustainable Development Goals aspire towards. Traditional cooking causes health problems because of smoke and also causes deforestation. Dr Richard Blanchard (CREST), Tommy’s supervisor, said "This funding will make a great deal of difference to Tommy’s project and his work is also contributing to the aims of the Modernising Energy Cooking Services programme led by Professor Ed Brown (Geography)".

The Efficiency for Access Design Challenge involves universities from a number of countries around the world. After completing his project Tommy will submit a report and short video to the Challenge Grand Final that takes place in July.