Thursday 18 June 2026
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) students Ben Clarke and Bryan McAleenan have achieved national and international recognition for their low-cost hydroelectric turbine project, designed to generate electricity for rural communities in Nepal.
The third-year Mechanical Engineering and Precision Engineering & Design students, based at ATU's Sligo campus, won first place in Engineers Without Borders Ireland's (EWB Ireland) 2026 Where There Is No Engineer (WTINE) Design Competition before going on to win first place in the World Technology Universities Network (WTUN) Student Competition 2026, an international competition recognising student-led solutions to global challenges.
Practical, community-centred renewable energy solution
In feedback provided to the students, WTUN assessors described the project as a practical, community-centred renewable energy solution, highlighting its affordability, feasibility and use of locally available materials. The project was also recognised for its focus on implementation in underserved communities and its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The project centres on a low-cost hydroelectric turbine designed to generate electricity from natural water flow. Developed with rural Nepalese communities in mind, the design prioritises affordability, durability and the use of locally available materials.
As winners of the WTINE Design Competition, Ben and Bryan will continue to develop the project through the WTINE Innovation Academy, supported by Engineers Without Borders Ireland and its development partner, Sanskriti Farms & Research Center in Nepal. The next phase of the project will focus on preparing the design for implementation and exploring additional applications, including its use in irrigation systems.
The students have also been accepted to showcase their project at Innovation Arena 2026, hosted in association with Enterprise Ireland and the National Ploughing Association, taking place this September.
L-R: Robert Craig, lecturer in engineering, ATU; Dr Xavier Velay, head of Department of Electronic, Software and Adv. Manufacturing Engineering, ATU; Bryan McAleenan, prize winner; Ben Clarke, prize winner; Dr Orla Flynn, president ATU; Dr Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin, ATUs WTUN board member.
Dr Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin, ATU’s WTUN board member said: “As ATU’s representative on the WTUN Operational Board, I am delighted that Ben and Bryan chose to enter this global competition, and to come away with the win.
"The WTUN membership spans the globe, and the student competition is one of our flagship annual activities, in which ATU has an excellent track record. The team should be proud that their project was judged favourably against entrants from the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.”
Cristina Garcia Santos, Engineers Without Borders Ireland, said: "Ben and Bryan have truly captured the essence of the Where There Is No Engineer programme: simple, low-tech, affordable solutions that are sustainable and community focused. Throughout the year, they have worked hard to develop a working prototype with the goal of generating electricity for rural communities in Nepal, a region where access to reliable energy can be transformative.
"Through the WTINE Innovation Academy, and in collaboration with our partner Sanskriti Farms & Research Center, we will support Ben and Bryan in further developing their design so it can be applied not only in rivers but also in irrigation systems. We look forward to working with them to bring their project to Nepal and implement it in the field, a step that will depend on securing the necessary support to make the trip a reality."
'Outstanding capstone project'
Xavier Velay, head of Department of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, ATU, said: "As head of department, I am immensely proud of the students’ achievements in delivering such an outstanding capstone project. Their dedication, creativity and professionalism are a testament to the high standards we strive to foster in our programmes.
"I would also like to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of the supervisory team, as well as our technical and administrative staff, whose continuous support plays a vital role throughout the students’ journey. This success reflects ATU’s strong student-centred culture and is further enabled by our excellent engineering facilities, which provide an environment where innovation and practical skills can truly flourish."
Eva Murphy, lecturer in electronics and mechatronics, ATU, said: "The students’ success reflects the growing importance of socially responsible engineering and the need for solutions that are practical, sustainable and grounded in local context. Their project demonstrates how engineering can make a meaningful difference when it is developed with communities in mind.
"We are delighted to see their work recognised internationally and acknowledge the valuable support of their project supervisors, Robert Craig, Eamonn Price and James Calvey throughout the project."