ESAI Postgraduate Researcher of the Year: Seán O’Connor
Seán O’Connor (Renewable Engine PhD Researcher, working alongside Organic Power Ltd) has received the Environmental Science Association of Ireland (ESAI) “Postgraduate Researcher of the Year award 2020”. Seán’s work will be showcased at the annual ESAI Environ conference set to be held virtually on 16th– 18th June 2021.
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, agriculture and, potentially, 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. His full publication list can be viewed at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sean-O-Connor