#MEET REGINA

#MEET REGINA

This is a short interview we conducted with Spyros Schismenos the creator of Renewable Energy Generated by the Impacts of Natural and Accidental Disasters (REGINA). If you like this project and would like to vote for it, click here.

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1. Please, tell us a bit about yourself: where are you from and what is your background?

Spyros Schismenos (Greece) is a researcher of the Research Center for Soil & Water Resources and Natural Disaster Prevention, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology in Taiwan. He is a member of the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth (UN MGCY) and an Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) Young Scientists. He is also the Focal Point of UNESCO Chair on Conservation and Ecotourism of Riparian and Deltaic Ecosystems (Con-E-Ect) for the Wider Region of Asia and Pacific. Finally, he is also pursuing his MSc in the Analysis and Management of Manmade and Natural Disasters of the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Institute of Technology (EMATTECH) & Hellenic Fire Academy/School of Fire Officers in Greece.

2. Can you describe your idea or project in two sentences?

The Renewable Energy Generated by the Impacts of Natural and Accidental Disasters (REGINA) will be developed in riparian areas where disaster-affected communities with limited access to energy and poor disaster prevention and resilience practices reside. The main idea is to generate and provide clean energy, given FREE during a water-based hazard, while the local populations are alerted to evacuate their location for their own safety.

3. How did you get your idea or concept?

Inspired by the fusion of the two sustainable development goals: (A) convert “energy” from water hazards to renewable energy (SDG7) (B) self-activated disaster warning mechanism based on the level of disaster (SDG11) as well as the 4 major pillars of the UNESCO Chair on Conservation and Ecotourism of Riparian and Deltaic Ecosystems (environment, education culture, eco-tourism).

4. What is unique about your idea/project and how does it benefit mankind?

The REGINA is an innovative method of transforming catastrophes/accidents into a “power-opportunity” through small scale hydroelectric generation units for populations that do not have stable access to electric energy and suffer from natural hazards. The generated power will be sufficient to support small and/or isolated communities in rural areas with low or no access to energy sources, especially after disaster occurrences. Furthermore, the REGINA will promote disaster mitigation, prevention and response mechanisms, such as disaster education and training programs, DIY resilience techniques, emergency behavior, evacuation map use, etc., to the affected communities for strengthening their resilience against such threats. Last but not least, the involved populations will be educated and trained on how to recover from the impacts of disasters, as well as to be involved in eco-tourism and agricultural activities, in order to improve their quality of living.

5. Describe yourself as an entrepreneur in one sentence

Young Scientist hoping to contribute in minimizing world's lethal disasters.

6. How do you deal with people that doubt your abilities/initiatives?

I never said I was perfect or expert but I never stopped trying.

7. Where does your passion lie?

Life and the people around me.

 8. What are you afraid of or what keeps you up at night?

That tomorrow will still be a day full of problems for some people.

9. According to you, money is a synonym for.....

Opportunity if well managed.

10. If you could rid the world of three things, what would they be?

1. Natural and man-made disasters
2. Lack of worldwide education
3. Lack of worldwide sustainable energy

11. What are the benefits you take from the Entrepreneurship Campus?

Meeting new people from many countries

12. What do you like more about the Entrepreneurship Campus?

The connection with many countries

13. Which idea/project do you like most?

All are great!

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NOTICE: If you want to see more submitted ideas and projects at the Youth Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition, visit BEST IDEAS and BEST PROJECTS and VOTE for the ones you think deserve to WIN the Competition!