ST Kentigern’s Academy from Blackburn, West Lothian, has won this year’s Mitsubishi Electric ‘Pump It Up!’ Challenge.
Now in its 10th year, the competition involved over 800 pupils from eight West Lothian secondary schools. The third year pupils were tasked with creating an innovative use for a heat pump, gaining an understanding of sustainable energy, and working effectively as a team.
The winners presented a presentation of their idea, Heated Shelters, which saw them design a heat pump system and solar panels to support homelessness by ensuring warmth for all in an environmentally-friendly fashion.
The annual challenge is a joint venture between Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe and West Lothian Chamber of Commerce with the aim of strengthening the connection between industry and education, while helping young people develop skills for their future careers.
Prior to the final at Howden Park Centre in Livingston, engineers from Mitsubishi Electric visited all participating schools to select one team per school to take part in the final, where they presented their ideas to a panel of judges, peers, family and friends alongside the business community.
Guest were joined on the night by Mr Taro Hattori, president of Mitsubishi Electric, Mr Katsutoshi Takeda, consul general of Japan in Edinburgh, and Dr Elaine Cook, deputy chief executive for corporate, operational and housing services for West Lothian Council.
Mr Hattori highlighted the importance of raising awareness of the role heat pumps play in protecting the environment and reducing carbon emissions. He also emphasised the value of the collaboration between Mitsubishi Electric, the West Lothian Chamber of Commerce, and West Lothian Council in engaging young people in an initiative which could help inspire the next generation of ideas and innovations in this field.
Rodney Ayre, senior department manager, Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems, said, “The Pump It Up final was a truly inspiring celebration of young talent, with over 800 pupils showcasing their creativity, teamwork and passion for renewable energy. It’s fantastic to see students applying their learning to real-world challenges while building skills for future careers in engineering and green energy. Events like this are vital in connecting industry and education and nurturing the next generation of innovators.”
West Lothian Chamber of Commerce chief executive Linda Scott added, “Partnership working between education and business on projects such as the Pump It Up Challenge is incredibly important. Initiatives like this can only enhance a young person’s future in the world of work.”
Runners-up were last year’s winners St Margaret’s Academy, and Deans Community High School. St Margaret’s demonstrated how to reduce water waste with a heat pump converting the excess into heat, while Deans was recognised for its teamwork in showing how heat pumps could be used to heat and cool car engines.
