A hydrogen-powered renewable energy storage system developed by Atlantic Technological University Galway graduate, James Swift, has been awarded the Siemens Innovative Student Engineer of the Year Award 2025 by Engineers Ireland.
This annual competition, which took place on Wednesday, 22 October, showcases projects by third-level engineering students that demonstrate innovation, sustainability, and commercial potential, and this year marked 25 years of sponsorship by Siemens.
John Jordan, President of Engineers Ireland, winner James Swift and Joe Walsh, Director, and General Manager of Siemens Ireland.
Five finalist teams were invited to present their projects, which ranged from biomedical devices to energy innovations, to a panel of judges at the competition final in Engineers Ireland.
James Swift, a graduate of Energy Engineering at Atlantic Technological University Galway, received the award for developing a prototype hydrogen-based energy storage system designed to harness surplus renewable electricity and convert it into clean, reusable power.
James commented: “I am delighted and honoured to be awarded the Siemens Innovative Student Engineer of the Year Award 2025 by Engineers Ireland. This project set out to demonstrate how hydrogen can be adopted to fulfil energy balancing requirements across Ireland’s rapidly growing renewable energy sector, and I would like to thank Siemens and Engineers Ireland for highlighting the importance of renewable energy technologies to our future sustainability.”
The winning project was selected by a panel of judges, including Joe Walsh, Director and General Manager of Siemens Ireland; Niamh Hegarty, Director, Advanced Operations, Stryker; and Dave Ludgate, Associate Director, Sustainability Lead – Water, AECOM.
Commenting at the event, Joe Walsh, Director, and General Manager of Siemens Ireland, said:
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate 25 years of supporting the Engineers Ireland Innovative Student Engineer of the Year Award. Encouraging young people into STEM fields and helping them develop the skills for a digital future is vital for Ireland’s continued success.
“Digital technology is transforming every aspect of engineering, and it is inspiring to see students embracing innovation and creativity in their projects. Every year, I am struck by the creativity and determination shown by the students who take part in the awards. Congratulations to James, and to all who took part – your innovation is shaping the future of engineering in Ireland.”
John Jordan, President of Engineers Ireland, added: “The initiatives showcased at the Siemens Innovative Student Engineer of the Year Award highlights the exceptional talent and ingenuity within our third-level engineering institutions. These students represent the next generation of Irish leaders, poised to drive forward innovative and sustainable solutions that will benefit communities both at home and abroad.
“I would like to offer a sincere congratulations to James Swift and the shortlisted finalists who truly exemplified innovation and engineering excellence. I wish each team continued success in their academic journey and future careers in engineering – they are the changemakers and leaders of tomorrow."
Siemens Innovative Student Engineer of the Year Award 2025 finalists:
- James Swift, Atlantic Technological University Galway, with the project Harnessing Hydrogen – A Study into Renewable Energy Storage Using Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology.
- Gavin McGrath, Munster Technological University Cork with the project The Design and Development of a Mechanical Floatation Cell to Support Large Diameter Thin Astronomical Mirrors.
- Megi Murvanidze, Manas Shingrut, Eve O’Grady, Damla Atalay, Michał Bartler and Olivia O’Fathaigh, Trinity College Dublin with the project, CogniCube.
- Ruchit Gandhi, Ethan O’Brien and Sarah Jane Hughes, University of Galway, with the project PeerPower.
- Jack O'Brien, Eoin Sheahan, Senan Kenny and Jake Somers, University of Limerick, with the project, OvaClear.