Thai youth showcased their innovative ideas
The "KMUTT CHARGING STATION" project by students from King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) won the winner prize in the Covestro Innovation Design Contest 2021 for "EV Charging Station" design.
Thai university students showed their talents once again in the final round of the Covestro Innovation Design Contest 2021 (IDC 2021). This year, we are in collaboration with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) for the design contest of EV Charging Station under the theme “Recharge to a Fully Circular Way” to push more efficient use of clean and renewable energy and the winner is The “KMUTT CHARGING STATION” project by students from the King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT). The project is innovative, responding to the use of electric vehicles and showed possibility to develop the concept further into production for practical application, taking into account environmental concerns as well as user convenience.
The Covestro Innovation Design Contest 2021 (IDC 2021) had announced the winners from the finalist teams which their ideas for “EV Charging Station” under the theme “Recharge to a Fully Circular Way” are all innovative. creative, sustainable and possible to develop it for real application. Covestro (Thailand) joined hands with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to give the opportunity for undergraduate students nationwide showcased their ideas and innovative creativity to win the prize and scholarship all worth over 185,000 Bath. In this final round, the judge panels are from various organizations including Mr. Warit Rattanachuen, Assistant Governor - Project Management Office from EGAT, Mr. Pichit Pongprasert, Head of EV Commercial Business from EGAT, Mr. Channarong Kaenthong, Vice President of the Architect Council of Thailand. Experts from Covestro, Ms. Khawissara Wattanapisit, Head of Communications – ASEAN and Mr. Chaiyut Changjenrob, Polycarbonates Plant Manager, were also on the judging committee.
Dr. Timo Slawinski, managing director of Covestro (Thailand) Limited gave the opening remark in the final round pitching and award ceremony “Covestro organized this campaign for 3rd consecutive year with the aim to drive innovative ideas for the new generation of youth and being a part to develop our communities and society to be more advance while promoting sustainability at the same time. The competition theme for this year is very interesting and challenging to encourage students from nationwide to show their ideas on innovation that support the future trend on mobility. The design contest for EV charging station really comes at the right timing when the world and country is moving towards the EV cars and vehicles. For Covestro, we are driving towards sustainable future as well as putting a lot of efforts on reducing carbon footprint in all of our value chain which also fully align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We strongly believe that the challenges are the key to widen more opportunities for us to collaborate on new innovation developments that could lead us to move forward sustainable world. Although, the IDC is a small part that help to promote innovation thinking which is driven by sustainability, we believe that this small effort together with many others organizations will be able to contribute to our sustainable world and future and to ensure that we hand over pleasant living space and society to our future generation”.
“I would like to congratulate the winning teams and express my gratitude for everyone’s efforts to recognize the problem, find solution and present us with the great design for EV charging station which is the theme of this year. I wish to see more and more of the great innovative ideas in the future from all students and importantly thanks to EGAT again to share the same goal and jointly support this campaign” added Dr. Timo.
Mr. Warit Rattanachuen, Assistant Governor - Project Management Office from EGAT, also stated “Electric vehicle application trends are playing a significant role all over the world, including in Thailand. We are all trying to figure out how to make the world more sustainable. The competition theme in this year of IDC 2021 is very useful to the societies” “Designing electric car charging station’ ideas from all contestants will help promote and convince people to interest in switching to electric cars which use clean energy and also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the occurrence of climate change around the world. This is the world's benefit that students being a part of that” montioned Mr. Warit.
The 6 finalist teams showcased their ideas and potential for addressing the current challenges. Their creativity and innovative “EV Charging Station” designs fulfilled the judging committee’s scoring criteria, while the outstanding presentations of each team were second to none, greatly impressing the judging committee. The “KMUTT CHARGING STATION” project by students from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) won the prize with 80,000 baht in scholarship as well as a trophy and certificate.
The first runner-up was “DENETOL” team by students from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) awarded with 50,000 baht in scholarship as well as a trophy and certificate and the second runner-up, “Camellia Charging Station” team by students from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) ) awarded with 30,000 baht in scholarship as well as a trophy and certificate.
Furthermore, three honorable mentions were given to “ECO-FRIENDLY MINI EV CHARGING STATION” team from King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), “Power Treecharg” team from Maejo University and “Green Tower Station” team from King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB) awarded with 5,000 baht in scholarship. There was also a Popular Vote prize of 10,000 baht which was awarded to “DENETOL” team by students from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT).
About Covestro:
With sales of EUR 10.7 billion in 2020, Covestro is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative, sustainable solutions for products used in many areas of everyday life. In doing so, Covestro is becoming fully circular. Its main customers are the automotive and transport industries, the construction industry, the furniture and wood processing industries, and the electrical, electronics, and household appliance industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, healthcare and the chemical industry itself. As of the end of 2020, Covestro produces at 33 sites worldwide and employs around 16,500 people (converted to full-time positions).
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