EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland's electricity grid, is calling on third-level students across Ireland to submit applications for the second annual CleanerGrid Competition. The competition offers a top prize of €12,000, with €6,000 awarded to the winning student team and €6,000 to their third-level institution.

The CleanerGrid competition seeks to foster innovation and creativity by encouraging students to showcase their skills in addressing critical energy challenges, with a focus on sustainability, efficiency, and clean energy technologies.

This year's theme, 'Present your vision of what the growing energy sector will need to look like in 2050 to have sustainably achieved net-zero emissions', requires entrants to demonstrate how the grid must adapt to accommodate more renewable sources and reduce synchronous generation. This includes exploring necessary government policies, economic implications, grid adaptations, technological advancements, and other relevant factors to create a resilient energy system for the future.

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The competition is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, below PhD level, from all disciplines at any third-level institution in the Republic of Ireland.

Students can take part by signing up at EirGrid.ie/CleanerGrid as part of a team of up to six members.

The top entrants will be invited to EirGrid's head offices to present their innovations to industry experts including members of the EirGrid senior management team.

Welcoming the launch of the competition, Liam Ryan, Chief Transformation and Technology Officer at EirGrid, said: "Citizen input is crucial in shaping effective practices and policies for the energy transition.

"Third-level students, as future leaders and innovators, bring fresh ideas and are key stakeholders in advocating for sustainable practices.

"The CleanerGrid competition provides a platform for EirGrid to hear these ideas and foster deeper engagement with our future leaders to create a cleaner, more resilient future. I look forward to seeing the entries from students and wish all entrants the best of luck."

Finalists will receive cash prizes for themselves and for their third-level institutes.

The first-place winner will receive a €6,000 cash prize (and an additional €6,000 for their third-level institute), with second place winning €3,000 (+€3,000 for their third-level institute ), and third place taking home €1,000 (+€1,000 for their third-level institute).

Aspiring participants have until 31 October to submit their application forms.