Doug Banks Renewable Energy Vision launch
Cape Town, 10.09.2008 - written by: James Smith
The Doug Banks Renewable Energy Vision was officially launched on 10th September at the UCT Club, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
The untimely death of Dr Douglas Banks of Restio Energy on 4th July 2008 has been a significant loss to the development of Renewable Energy not only in South Africa, but across the African continent. Doug was Project Coordinator of a REEEP-funded project and we published an obituary covering his immense contribution.
A group of professionals working in the field of Renewable Energy have set out to create an initiative that will not only be a legacy in Doug's memory, but will continue some of the work he so passionately drove. The Doug Banks Renewable Energy Vision (DBREV) scholar support programme has been developed to encourage engineering and other graduates to pursue careers in the field of renewable energy, contributing to the fulfillment of Doug’s vision. It will encourage graduate students to develop a career in the field of renewable energy, covering the costs of post-graduate tuition in relevant fields, supporting students in renewable energy related research and offering professional support and mentorship through a network of renewable energy professionals and companies linked to the DBREV.
The launch was held at the University of Cape Town’s Sports Club on the evening of the 10th of September 2008 and was attended by over 100 people. It provided an opportunity to frame Doug’s achievements and vision in terms of the focus of his work and the broader significance of these activities, in four areas: Policy, Business, Energy delivery and, particularly, Education and mentoring.
Throughout his career Doug has mentored, tutored and supervised a number of students. Three of these students, Katherine Steel of the World Bank, Jit Bhattacharya of the Haas School of Business and Robbie Cahill of McKinseys, spoke at the launch about their time with Doug and his passion, vision and inspiration.
ZAR35,000.00 has been donated to the DBREV by individuals and local firms so far. SANERI has offered to add to that as well as naming the new Renewable Energy R&D hub after Doug. CRSES has offered to provide administration for the fund and a group of professionals have committed themselves to mentor grantees.
The DBREV requires further support - corporate and individual - to implement its vision of developing RE Intellectual Capital. For further information on how you can contribute, download the proposal document by clicking below or contact Dave Gale on +27 82 467 2400 (GMT+2) or dave@gale.za.net