Indian University enters top 5 of the prestigious Global Shell Ideas360

National, May 12, 2014: Shell, one of the largest and the most diversified international investors in India's energy sector among all global integrated oil companies announced the five finalists that will be competing in the final stage of the global student competition Shell Ideas360. The competition – which encourages university students to conceive, share and collaboratively develop innovative ideas to help tackle Energy, Water and Food challenges around the world – kicked off in September 2013, generating 668 submissions by students around the globe, of which 97 ideas made it to the second stage.

Krishna Chaturvedi and his team member Priya Sihag from the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun has made the country proud with their innovative idea Fire in Ice: Fuel for the Future. The other finalists are from Canada, Singapore, the Netherlands and Australia.

The Fire in Ice: Fuel for the Future project implemented under the mentorship of Andrew Tan presents an innovative, promising and sustainable source of energy for the future via the injection of carbon-dioxide in hydrate reservoirs to produce methane gas. The microbial action on Carbon dioxide in reservoir to convert it to methane via methanogenesis (procedure of microbial action) and reformation of a methane gas hydrate, forming a complete cycle and providing an ever-lasting source of energy was the concept of the idea. 

Speaking on the occasion, Viswakumar Menon, Country Head, Corporate Communications, Shell India said, “We would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to students from UPES for making their country and the University proud. We wish them all the luck for the finals and to emerge as winners of Shell Ideas360. We at Shell are committed to a better world and a better future. As major players in the oil and gas industry globally, we’ve always been at the forefront of driving sustainability through innovation and best practices”.

The India team along with other finalists will pitch their idea to a panel of judges in Amsterdam on May 14, 2014. On May 15, the winner will be announced at the Powering Progress Together forum that will be held at Shell Eco-marathon 2014 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The winning team will embark on a once-in-a-lifetime National Geographic Expedition.

Enquiries:

Vikash Mishra
Country Head, Corporate Communications
Shell India Markets Pvt. Ltd.
+91 077609 75261
vikash.mishra@shell.com

Notes to Editors

About Shell Ideas360

Shell Ideas360 is a new, global competition, encouraging university students to conceive, share and collaboratively develop game-changing ideas to help tackle Energy, Water and Food challenges. Shell Ideas360 provides university students with an exciting opportunity to develop their ideas into a ‘potentially investment-worthy’ business case with the support of mentors and subject matter experts. University students will be able to demonstrate their potential, develop their skills and collaborate globally with like-minded innovators, gaining insights into the current and future challenges in the fields of Energy, Water and Food and how they are related.

How the competition works

Shell Ideas360 involves three key stages.  In stage 1, participants share and submit their initial idea. The ideas will be evaluated by a team of experts and up to 100 ideas will be selected to go to stage 2. Participants will then further develop their ideas with the help of Shell Mentors and Subject Matter Experts.

In stage 3 five teams or individuals will be invited to Shell Eco-Marathon Europe in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to pitch their ideas to a Panel of Judges. Here the finalists will meet thought leaders, other innovators and representatives from business, NGOs and government from around Europe with whom they can exchange ideas and set-up new partnerships.

About Royal Dutch Shell

Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges.  Shell companies have operations in more than 70 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects. For further information, visit www.shell.com

About Shell India

Shell is one of the most diversified international oil company in India's energy sector with nearly US$1 billion invested. It is a major private sector supplier of crude products and chemicals to India. With over 3000 staff in the country, Shell has a significant Technology center, a financial business services center and operates an LNG receiving and re-gasification terminal. It also has a downstream business marketing fuels, lubricants and specialty products.