NexSys Away Day in Wicklow

On May 27th, NexSys held an away day at the beautiful Glenview Hotel, near the Glen of the Downs in Wicklow. The day began with an opening presentation from NexSys director, Terrence O'Donnell, who gave us an update on the group's progress and outlined the schedule for the day. The event was divided into two parts: a morning session focused on data and model integration, which included group discussions led by James O'Donnell, followed by small group talks to share insights with the wider team.

 

Following an enjoyable lunch at the hotel’s restaurant, where I had the opportunity to engage in discussions with senior researchers from NexSys. The afternoon session was dedicated to developing greater research collaboration. Led by Michelle Carey from the School of Mathematics and Statistics at UCD, the session allowed us to learn about each other’s work, share challenges, and identify ways to support one another’s research. For instance, during my discussion, I learned that a fellow PhD student was developing a power system model that incorporated electricity prices under different scenarios. He mentioned his need for data on solar and wind generation over extended periods, something that I could provide based on my own work.

 

To close out the day, we embarked on a guided hike through the stunning Glen of the Downs, offering a perfect opportunity to unwind and connect with colleagues. The day concluded with a lovely BBQ, leaving us all with new insights and strengthened connections among the researchers in the NexSys group.