Education
MEng Chemical Engineering with Energy Engineering
About Me
Derek graduated with a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering with Energy Engineering from Heriot Watt University in 2010 and worked for seven years with the leading vacuum technology specialist Edwards Vacuum, a subsidiary of the global industrial company Atlas Copco. His main responsibilities included detailed technical design for bespoke vacuum systems, taking projects through from initial tender to final manufacture; and producing commercial and technical tendering documentation. Securing millions of pounds worth of orders, he worked with international clients from a range of industries including Oil & Gas, Food & Drink, Pharmaceuticals, Power generation, Mining, and Defence. During his time at Edwards he participated in HAZOP training run by IChemE, and was the sole company employee on a successful project to attain ATEX certification for the Custom Engineered Products team equipment, a project that was subsequently used by other Edwards teams to achieve their accreditation.
Since joining Synergie Environ, Derek has primarily been involved in three areas; carbon accounting and producing carbon management plans for companies looking to reduce their carbon emissions, district heat network projects seeking to harness untapped potential from geothermal minewater sources; and being the package lead for the specialist equipment around which an ongoing large pyrolysis construction project is centred.
Over the course of several low carbon energy projects Derek has conducted energy data gathering and analysis, and the production of current and future energy profiles for carbon baselining. He has completed high level design of such systems through pipe routing and equipment sizing calculations. He has also produced lifecycle greenhouse gas emission forecasts taking into account future decarbonisation of grid electricity.
Derek has also represented Synergie Environ by participating in cross-sector roundtable discussions around geothermal minewater that include representatives from Scottish and international governments, national UK regulatory bodies, industry, and academia.
Skills & Expertise
- • Project Management
- • Equipment Design
- • Technical & Commercial Tendering
- • Effluent Management
- • Stakeholder Engagement
- • District Energy Network Design
- • Vacuum Technology
- • Pyrolysis Systems
