#marinescience - One of Ireland’s maritime commercial hubs, Foynes, in Co Limerick was where innovation was in rich supply as schools presented ground-breaking concepts for sustainable energy sources of the future.

The schools congregated at the biennial Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) ‘Compass’ Transition Year Competition that was held last Friday.

Laurel Hill Secondary School was the overall winner which walked away with the honours thanks to their ‘Working Waves’ presentation. This is based on generating energy from ships on the move through a pressure pad system that feeds into an electricity generator and battery in the hull.

But, as judges highlighted, the competition was the most tightly marked, the most competitive and delivered the highest standards in its six-year history.

The Limerick city school, who were presented with their award by Minister of State at the Department of Finance Patrick O’Donovan, was one of five finalists who presented in front of 300 people at the Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum.

They walked away with the top prize of the perpetual trophy, a €2,000 cheque for their school and iPads & COMPASS gold medals for each of the team members. All runners up received a COMPASS silver medal and a sailing day on the Shannon Estuary sponsored by the Foynes Yacht Club Sailing Academy.