Dr Lorna Lawrence BSc(Hon) PhD FIFST
Carbon Zero Research Lecturer, Energy from Waste
Lorna graduated form Queen’s University Belfast with a BSc First Class Honours in Food Science and a PhD in Food Microbiology. She has previously held a lecturing position within Queen’s University and gained commercial experience as a Business Development Manager for Randox Laboratories Ltd and as a Technical Director for agricultural supply company Finrone Ltd.
Lorna’s research area includes converting waste to energy through the use of natural biological processes. These processes include technologies such as anaerobic digestion which can convert livestock slurry and other organic materials such as crops and food waste to biogas and ultimately combined heat and power (CHP). This technology can be carried out in small scale, on-farm operations or as large-scale centralised facilities.
With a strong technical background in microbiology, Lorna also has an active interest in the exploitation of algae to produce renewable energy either as a source of biomass or for sustainable production of bio-fuel. One of the major advantages of the use of algae for energy production is that this technology does not compete agriculturally or commercially with food crop production and does not require massive land areas as do other biofuel plant source crops.
Dr John Harrison BSc (Hons) PhD
Carbon Zero Research Lecturer, Clean Energy Storage
John graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with a BSc First Class Honours in Chemistry and gained a PhD in Organic Chemistry. John’s commercial experience includes working as a Research & Development Chemist with Galen and Randox Laboratories Ltd.
John’s expertise is focuses on Clean Energy Storage and covers a broad range of technologies based on thermal and electrical energy storage. Thermal energy storage technologies operate by storing heat, when excess is available, for use at a later time while electrical energy storage involves storing the electrical energy produced by intermittent renewable sources for use at a later time.
John is currently conducting laboratory scale trials on flow battery technology with a view to scaling up for microgeneration and grid scale applications. He has recently worked with B9 Energy has to investigate energy storage and its potential use in conjunction with renewable energy technologies and the Future Smart Grid Electricity System.
Andrea Davidson BSc (Hons)
Carbon Zero Administrator
Andrea graduated from University of Ulster Jordanstown in July 2009 with a 1:1 BSc (Hons) in Human Resource Management. In September 2010 she completed a post graduate diploma in People Management and Development. Andrea currently has Associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Andrea was previously employed by Belfast City Council, where she worked in the recruitment section of their human resources department. Andrea has been working in South West College within an administrative role for one year. She also provides administrative support to the HR department in the College
Janine Swift
Carbon Zero Finance Administrator
Janine holds a BTEC National Diploma in Computer Studies and a Foundation degree in Web Design from South West College.
Janine previously spent two years at the College’s Omagh College in an administrative role where she held responsibility for the management of finance, student admissions and training and the College’s management information system. She has previously gained commercial experience with Carrickmore-based firm R & P McCallan Ltd.