Rob Finnerty, a final year student in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at NUI Galway has been awarded the Avaya Prize for the best final year project in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in the College of Engineering at NUI Galway. His project involved the development of a prototype system to allow solar panels automatically track the sun as it moves across the sky during the day in order to maximise the amount of electricity generated.
A native of Moate, County Westmeath, Rob beat a number of other challengers including a mobile app which warns car drivers of pedestrians who have crossed onto the road and a computer system that analyses signals from the brain to determine what the user is thinking.
Professor Ger Hurley, lecturer in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at NUI Galway and supervisor for Rob’s project, says: “Rob’s project on solar energy combines hardware and software to provide a solution for more efficient energy usage. Electrical and Electronic Engineering at NUI Galway prides itself on providing its students with the skills and knowledge to deal with current and pressing challenges for today’s world.”
Dr Michael Keane, senior manager with Avaya in Galway, comments: “Many of the graduates of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering discipline at NUI Galway have worked in software development roles with Avaya over the years. We are delighted to continue our relationship with the discipline through this award for Rob’s innovative project work.”
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Pictured are (l-r): Michael Keane, senior manager, Avaya, presenting Rob Finnerty, from Moate, with the Avaya Prize for the best final year project in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in the College of Engineering at NUI Galway. Also pictured is Liam Kilmartin and Professor Ger Hurley, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NUI Galway.