Harry’s Orb makes judges glow

22 January 2008

BU Graduate Harry Ward with ITV ‘Dream Homes’ presenter and designer, Oliver Heath.

BU graduate Harry Ward is through to the national final of the E.ON Energy Lab competition.

BU graduate Harry Ward is a finalist in the national E.ON EnergyLab competition – a nationwide talent search to find Britain’s next big energy saving innovations.

Harry fought off stiff competition at a regional final in Cambridge, where his invention, the ‘Orb’, was judged by a panel of experts headed-up by ITV ‘Dream Homes’ presenter and designer, Oliver Heath.

He designed the Orb for his final year project which was showcased at BU’s annual Festival of Design & Innovation.

The Orb is an energy management device that enables homeowners to understand energy consumption within their home.

By emitting a coloured glow and providing the user with tangible figures for their consumption, the user can begin to understand and reduce what they use in both a financial and environmental context.

He is now developing his invention for the grand final at London’s Tate Modern on 13 March. Harry, a Product Design graduate from the School of Design, Engineering & Computing, will be pitching his ideas against the clock, and other finalists, in a bid to be crowned the winner of the LIFE-IC Technology Award.

The winner will receive £5,000 and support from world class business accelerator LIFE-IC to help develop and get their idea into production.

Harry said: “I’ve always had faith in my ideas so it’s a great feeling to have been recognised by the EnergyLab judging panel.

“To have reached the national final in such a prominent competition is a huge achievement, it’s going to be nerve-wracking, but I can’t wait to step up to the challenge.”

E.ON EnergyLab judging panel Chairman Oliver Heath said: “The standard of entries we reviewed at the Cambridge heat was extremely high and we had a tough job deciding which inventions should go through to the national final.

“Harry and his invention really stood out for us and we look forward to seeing him again in London for what promises to be a very exciting final.”

Since graduating last year Harry has been working for Sky News as a 3D Visual Effects Producer, using his graphic design skills to make the 3D explainers for the daily news broadcast.