Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management and automation, has just launched Go Green in the City for the seventh consecutive year. This annual global challenge for business and engineering students is aimed at promoting innovative energy management ideas for smart cities.
From February 13 to May 12, 2017, students from all over the world currently pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies in business or engineering are welcome to join the challenge. Teams of two, with at least one woman to encourage diversity and inclusion, will be required to submit a case study illustrating ideas for innovative energy management solutions in cities for one of the four basic Schneider business challenge topics: Strategy & Technology, Cooling Solution Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage & Efficiency, Integrated Urban Energy Systems - or focus on any unique idea for going green.
Participation in the competition is growing each year
Created in 2011, the competition attracts more student teams each year, showing that soon-to-be professionals are eager to discover Schneider Electric's expertise and culture of innovation while working on a business case, with the opportunity to meet experts and receive career advice. In 2016, 16,466 participants registered worldwide from 180 countries, resulting in 1,184 submissions. In China alone, the number of participants dramatically increased by 1,075 per cent compared to the previous year. In 2016, the winning team was from the University of Applied Sciences FH Aachen (Germany) for its idea of an innovative off-grid wind and pump solution to provide 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," said Olivier Blum, Chief Human Resources Officer at Schneider Electric. "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. By sharing our expertise and mentoring the contestants, we are able to share our values and vision of innovation at every level with connected energy management and automation technologies as well as our commitment to diversity."
The 100 semi-finalist team selection will be announced on June 9, 2017. These teams will have two months to work with a mentor from Schneider Electric to help them to create a synopsis and a video presentation of their idea. After the 12 finalist teams are revealed on August 7, 2017, they will be flown to Paris, France, to compete in the grand finale from October 9 to 13, 2017. The winning team will travel the world, VIP-style, visiting Schneider Electric facilities, networking with employees and high-level management. The competition winners will also receive job offers from Schneider Electric in their home countries.
