Page 41 - Gi flipbook February 2018

The IGEM Welsh Section 53rd annual dinner

THE IGEM WELSH Section’s 53rd support from Wales & West Utilities.” Welsh actor Julian Lewis Jones and
Annual Dinner was held in Cardiff, on Chosen charity Kids Cancer Charity former Welsh rugby international and
Friday 3 November, with the Park Inn supports families, children and British Lion Lee Byrne were on hand
by Radisson playing host to several teenagers affected by cancer and after dinner to delight diners with
generations of IGEM members, from received an amazing £1,793, including anecdotes. The Party Bandits then
Welsh gas engineers and managers to £600 provided by Wales & West ended the night with a two-hour set.
engineers from further afield. Utilities through the company The Welsh Section would like to
The dinner opened with a drinks matched funding scheme. thank event attendees for their
reception, where caricaturists drew After grace was delivered by the continuing support and the main
impressions of the guests while Chair’s brother Andrew Marubbi, sponsors of the evening: Wales & West
impressive living statues guarded the guests were treated to a delicious Utilities, Morrison Utility Services and
entrance to the dining room. three course meal. Green Frog Gas Utilities. ■
A particular focus of the night was
the role of women in engineering,
which is a cause close to the heart of
Wales Section Chair Helen Fitzgerald.
In her speech, she spoke about what
had driven her to become an engineer,
saying: “I’m extremely honoured to be
the Chair of IGEM Welsh Section and
proud to be a Chartered Engineer. It
wouldn’t have been possible without
the support of my family, the great
education I had in Wrexham, at
Sheffield University, and the continued Celebrating female engineers

Robotics: innovation and implementation in the industry

By Kelly France, IGEM Consultant at DNV GL, gave a industry robotic systems that were
Communications and Engagement presentation entitled, ‘Development on display at the event. These
Coordinator of risk and prioritisation scheme for included robots used for gas mains
the replacement of metallic gas inspection as well as drones used to
THE MIDLANDS AND LONDON, distribution mains’. She gave insight inspect assets from the air.
Southern & Eastern Sections on the challenges of asset Rob Kodadek, Chief Technology
collaborated on a joint Section event management and the models that Officer at ULC Robotics, gave the final
entitled, ‘The role of robotics in the have been created to support mains presentation of the evening. Rob, who
future of gas’. replacement. This complemented had flown in from New York, focused
Held at IGEM House in November, Sam’s presentation and how current on future developments including
the event attracted professionals technology can support the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and
from across the industry, with application of this model, allowing autonomous VTOL (vertical take-off
delegates including directors, senior companies to know which pipes they and landing) systems.
managers, engineers and graduates. should prioritise to inspect with Thank you to ULC Robotics for
The event provided an industry current technology. sponsoring the event and to
update on the technology currently During a break for refreshments everyone who attended, particularly
used on live networks, systems in and networking, attendees were able for the lively discussions that ensued
development and the benefits they can to find out more about the gas after the presentations. ■
deliver to GDNs. It also highlighted the
benefits of the innovation funding
made available via Ofgem.
Sam Wilson, Head of UK Business
Development at ULC Robotics,
provided the first presentation
focusing on current technologies,
how they have been developed to
solve industry problems and details
on their implementation.
Following Sam’s presentation
Rosemary McAll, Principal

41

IGEMNews_Events.indd 4 18/01/2018 13:24