Go Green in the City turns seven

The annual Go Green in the City competition is on for the seventh year running, courtesy of Schneider Electric.

This global challenge for business and engineering students is aimed at promoting innovative energy management ideas for smart cities. From 13 February to 12 May 2017, business and engineering bachelor, master or MBA students from all over the world are welcome to join the challenge. Working in teams of two (with at least one woman to encourage diversity and inclusion), entrants will be required to submit a case study illustrating their ideas for innovative energy management solutions under one of four business challenge topics:

• Strategy and technology
• Cooling solution energy efficiency
• Energy storage and efficiency
• Integrated urban energy systems

Entrants can also focus on any unique idea for ‘going green’.

Participation in the competition is growing each year. In 2016, 16,466 participants registered worldwide from 180 countries, leading to 1184 submissions. In China alone, the number of participants dramatically increased by 1075% compared to 2015. Last year’s winning team was from the FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Germany, for their idea of an innovative off-grid wind and pump solution to provide the rural agricultural communities with access to clean energy at a low cost.

“The increased interest in Go Green in the City is a strong sign that future engineers and leaders are sensitive to the planet’s environmental challenges and keen to find solutions. In addition to offering students an exciting opportunity to showcase their talents in a gender-equitable setting, this annual contest provides Schneider Electric with significant visibility as a leading global employer, helping us to attract the best talents in the long term,” said Olivier Blum, chief human resources officer at Schneider Electric.

“By sharing our expertise and mentoring the contestants, we are able to share our values, our visions of innovation at every level, with connected energy management and automation technologies as well as our commitment to diversity,” Blum said.

The 100 semifinalist teams will be announced on 9 June. Semifinalists will have two months to work with a mentor from Schneider Electric in order to create a synopsis and video presentation. After the 12 finalist teams are revealed in August, they will be flown to Paris to compete in the grand finale from 9–13 October. The winning team will travel the world, VIP-style, visiting Schneider Electric facilities, networking with employees and high-level management, and receiving job offers from Schneider Electric in their home countries.