French firm brings global 'go green' competition to Thailand

The rise of energy consumption in the near future is a big challenge not only for government authorities and people in big cities but for energy-management companies.

To provide young adults with a better understanding about saving energy and how to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions to avoid climate change, France-based Schneider Electric this year has welcomed 10 new countries including Thailand to join the third edition of its "Go Green in the City" global competition.

Nelson Yeap, country president of Schneider (Thailand), told The Nation: "Commercial

buildings, residential, utilities and infrastructures, transportation and water supply in the key cities in Thailand are responsible for more than 50 per cent of total energy consumption. Eighty per cent of energy consumption in the cities is from commercial buildings and transportation.

"The energy demand is increased every year in accordance with the GDP growth. Thus this programme can give a better understanding about energy management to young people.

"This is its first time in the Kingdom, along with other countries in East Asia including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea and Taiwan, as well as Mexico and Canada," Yeap said.

The company is holding roadshows in universities across the country to promote the event and accept proposal submissions from today to February 13.

The programme is seeking teams of two, at least one of whom should be a woman, Yeap said, adding that they have to develop good solutions for energy management.

Ten shortlisted teams will be announced next month. Final country competitions will be conducted on April 5. Each country's winning team will be coached by a mentor on their final synopsis before the East Asia final competition in Jakarta from May 6-10.

After a final selection process, 25 finalist teams will be invited to Paris to present their projects to a jury composed of Schneider Electric managers on June 27 and 28.

The two members of the winning team will be offered jobs to start their careers with Schneider Electric. They will also have the opportunity to visit Schneider Electric facilities.

Yeap said this programme aimed to seek big ideas, innovation and creativity from talented university students and to broaden targets from prototype-based competition for engineering students across the globe.