Five graduate students, Mehdi Baraka, Jeremy Rochussen, Aylin Mumcular, Zhihao Wang and Nicole So, all from Natural Gas Futures at the University of British Columbia, participated in the Futures Leaders in Research Poster Competition at the Canada Gas & LNG Exhibition and Conference 2019. This event was sponsored by Petronas Canada and aimed at identifying and promoting the talent that will help to resolve the challenges in methane emissions, decarbonization, safety and efficiency development, and policy development.

The students’ posters were exhibited in the Youth Pavilion on the Exhibition Floor for three days. The students presented their research topics on off-grid LNG deployment, engine combustion characterization and emissions mitigation, integration of blockchain technology into renewable natural gas, dynamic simulation of the LNG storage tank, and policy incentives on GHG emissions reduction for BC’s LNG industry to a judging committee consisting of industry, government and post-secondary institution representatives. Positive feedbacks were received from the judging committee and other audience.

“It is amazing and exciting to see our future generations are striving towards resolving the biggest challenges in the natural gas industry.” says Mark Fitzgerald, President and CEO of Petronas Canada.

Jeremy Rochussen and his research on engine combustion characterization and emissions mitigation were awarded the first place winner receiving $1,000 prize. All other students were awarded $500 finalist prizes. The students also received a full delegate pass for the conference.

Training Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) has always been a priority at Natural Gas Futures. More than 20 HQPs are currently working on various projects at Natural Gas Futures under the supervisions of renowned researches and engineers. They will support the future workforce needs, as well as push beyond the boundaries to solve the most difficult challenges in the energy sector.