My team from Delhi Technological University (formerly Delhi College of Engineering) participated in the International Future Energy Challenge 2011, organized by IEEE. The challenge was to develop a solar powered water purification system. The system uses a low power induction motor and the challenge was to develop a suitable drive for the motor.
We were looking for a similar topic for our final year project. We were told of this competition by our faculty advisor. We theoretically designed the layout of the system and the drive and sent in the proposal, just in time.
The results were announced in november 2010, and we were delighted to be selected. All the selected teams were invited to attend a workshop in APEC 2011( Applied Power Electronics Conference) in Fort Worth, Texas on 6th of March 2011. We were required to present our idea at the workshop and the organizers would share some details regarding the competition. They would sponsor 1 team member's visit to this workshop.
My team elected me for this and I also had the support from our faculty advisor.
I arrived for Fort Worth on 4th of march. I had booked a room in Hilton Fort Worth. It was just two blocks away from the Fort Worth Convention Center where the workshop was to be held.
On 6th, I reached the venue, two large halls inside the Fort Worth Convention Center. I interacted with other teams. We shared knowledge on the project and on our universities and our countries. Some teams had come with their faculty advisors and graduate advisors. Most teams had sent two representatives. We were given introductory speech by the competition chair and encouraging speech by the sponsors. We were given details regarding the project-the specifications, etc. During lunch I got the opportunity to interact with Prof. Joao Pinto (competition chair), Prof. Mauricio (topic B coordinator) and other academics.
We were to present our progress report after lunch. I presented the report on behalf of my team. My presentation was focussed on the various design strategies adopted by us, our progress and planning for future. Other teams also presented their reports and shared their progress towards the project.
After the presentations there were discussion regarding the details provided, and about the evaluation procedure that would be adopted for the final competition. The workshop concluded with the organizing committee handing out cheques for the travel grants and then there was a group photograph.
Presentation at the workshop and the visit to Fort Worth was an pleasant and unforgettable experience.
We were required to send the qualification reports a month later on the basis of which the teams were to be shortlisted for the final round. We worked hard and got selected. The final competition is in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 20th of July. I am looking forward to it.
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