UT’s Switch Energy Club Hosts Successful Energy Case Competition

Switch Energy Alliance supports energy education at several universities through the Switch Energy Club. Each chapter of the Switch Energy Club connects students across campus to inspire and motivate students to learn about energy.

The Switch Energy Club chapter at the University of Texas – Austin, led by UT students Moosa Dhillon and Felix Clevenger, recently held a campus-wide energy case competition with a focus on energy poverty. The competition was a huge success. Sixteen teams of 4 students each participated in the event. The competition prompt asked the competitors to develop a long-term strategy for energy security for either Nepal or Kenya. The cross-disciplinary teams addressed the economical, political and environmental implications of their plan. The students were given one week to develop and practice their presentations, culminating in live competition before panels of energy experts on April 6th. SEA’s Chairman, Scott Tinker, provided the keynote address to the competitors before the final round.

The students’ presentations were amazing, reflecting deep thought and extensive research. The winning team, which shared a prize of $1,000, included Alexander Halsey - Mathematics & Physics; Uddhav Marwaha - Petroleum Engineering; Saagar Patedar - E.E., Business Honors; and Alexander Wlezian - C.S. & Mathematics. Their presentation provided an innovative plan on moving Kenya beyond energy poverty, and was impressively supported by 143 slides. The second place team shared a $500 prize and provided a persuasive strategy on how to strengthen energy security in Kenya by 2040.

Congratulations to the UT Chapter of the Switch Energy Club, the 16 teams, numerous judges, and supporting organizations for an amazing Switch Energy Case Competition!