Georgios Liaptsis’ original background is in electrical engineering, but took a turn to focus on non-destructive testing (NDT) by obtaining an MSc on NDT methods. In addition, he completed his PhD research to gain expertise on the advanced reconstruction algorithms used in radiography. For the last 7 years, he has worked at TWI as a project leader, where he specialises in delivering industry-led research for systems integration in the fields of computed tomography and digital radiography, both laboratory based and site-deployed.
World-leading, independent research and technology organisation (RTO), TWI Ltd was formed more than 75 years ago and, today, has centres and facilities across the globe. Its highly regarded technical teams of consultants, scientists, technologists and engineers provide services, software and industry know-how from bases in the UK, South East Asia, India, the Middle East, and the USA.
TWI provides expertise in engineering, materials and joining technologies, and has representation on over 100 standards committees internationally. Activities include industry-focused research and development (R&D), aimed at developing advanced technologies with demonstrable impact, providing value to both TWI Industrial Members and the wider engineering community. These activities are delivered through a number of project types, namely single client projects (SCPs), joint industry projects (JIPs), TWI core research programme (CRP) projects, and public funded projects. TWI also houses a professional institution, The Welding Institute, with a separate membership of over around 4.600 individuals.
TWI has been an active participant in collaborative R&D projects, enabled by successful proposal submissions to Innovate UK, Horizon Europe and other grant funding instruments, since 2008. During that time, TWI’s Technology Innovation Management team has secured £582m+ funding, assisted 1,780+ partner organisations and funded 445+ projects.
Georgios took some time to speak about his involvement in the PowerPath project…
Why did your company join the PowerPath project?
TWI has previous experience with the IMPHORAA project, which focused on the development of nanogrid systems in off grid rural communities in the Philippines. TWI mostly undertook the dissemination and exploitation activities of the project, but I participated in some technical work as well. In particular, I have worked on the development of a waterpump controller, which involved PCB design and Arduino coding. The main challenges of both projects lies on the offshore installation and commission of the prototype systems. Both countries (Madagascar and the Philippines) are in development and they lack modern technical specifications and regulation bodies.
How do you hope your organisation will benefit from participating in the project and its outcomes?
The main benefit for TWI and myself will be the sentiment of transforming people’s lives by providing them with renewable electricity. These people are living in extremely remote places and they will experience, for the first time in their life, access to clean water and electrical amenities. I would like to believe that my contribution will genuinely improve peoples’ lives.
How do these challenges relate to the expectations of the UK Industrial Policy?
Both EU and UK industrial specifications lean towards the knowledge transfer between developed and in development countries. Regulation bodies and basic infrastructure need to be established in Madagascar in order to allow the prototype nanogrid and microgrids to be installed.
How is your experience in R&D and engineering informing your current work within the project?
Even though the project requirements are not perfectly aligned with my technical expertise, my original experience as an electrical engineer has proved very useful. As a graduate, I gained experience in electronic system integration and PCB design. Both skills are needed to develop the public lighting solution that is required in the current project.
I am responsible for the public lighting task. The unconventional input voltage (64-80V DC) of the microgrid makes all off-the-shelf solutions incompatible, hence a prototype lighting unit needs to be developed. There are certain specifications and requirements to be considered - like remote control access (Bluetooth), dimming lights, automated function, etc. From the beginning of the project, I have been involved in the lab testing and PCB design. The plan is to finish the prototype lighting unit soon. The project requirements are to commission 12 to 15 lighting units to be installed to a single microgrid.
Through my work in Powerpath, I believe that I am fulfilling my duty as an engineer - to give back to the community and improve people's lives.
Does your organisation have aspirations to participate in future funded programmes – whether a continuation of the project and the current research – or in addressing other research to solve industrial challenges?
TWI always seeks collaborative opportunities and will definitely be interested in a follow up future project. There are still millions of people living without electricity in Madagascar, hence the current research should be able to continue. In addition, I would like to see some efforts to introduce and promote education, as there are a lot of children living in these areas.