IT Sligo researcher Seán scoops national research accolade
THE WORK of an IT Sligo researcher in the area of bioenergy has been recognised nationally.
PhD researcher Seán O’Connor has received the Environmental Science Association of Ireland (ESAI) Postgraduate Researcher of the Year award for 2020.
He received the award for his research in the Renewable Engine Project working with the industry partner, Organic Power.
The judges were impressed with the combination of scientific excellence and societal impact of the research.
Seán’s research was carried out under the EU Interreg-funded Renewable Engine project.
Seán said he was delighted to have won the award. He said: “A huge thank you to my supervisors John Bartlett, Suresh C. Pillai, Ehiaze Ehimen, David
Tormey and mentors at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Renewable Engine, and Organic Power.”
Seán is in the final stage of his PhD studies, which seeks to accelerate the development of small-scale anaerobic digestion (SSAD) in Ireland.
SSAD is a promising technology with the capacity to transform organic matter into biogas, a mixture mainly composed of carbon dioxide and methane, making the technology suitable for a variety of applications in energy and agriculture. It could, for instance, be used to allow a farmer to use slurry to create energy for use on the farm.
It could also be potentially used in the emerging bio-products and bio-processes sector. Seán’s research aims to evaluate the current status of SSAD and to implement relevant improvement strategies and technologies, which will serve to guide researchers, policymakers and plant operators in developing a sustainable indigenous bioenergy industry in Ireland.
Seán has published six papers in high impact journals such as Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Journal of Energies, Journal of Environments and Springer Nature. His research findings have been disseminated at four national and seven international conferences including European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE) and the Energy Technology Partnership Annual Conference. Seán’s work will be showcased at the annual ESAI Environ conference set to be held virtually on June 16-18.
His full publication list can be viewed at researchgate.net/ profile/Sean-O-Connor/.