TWO NORTH-EAST university students will drive an electric car on a 600-mile round trip to Cardiff and back to as part of a bid to advance the goal of a low-carbon economy.

They will be demonstrate the possibilities of Smart Grid power – an advanced electricity network that intelligently integrates the requirements of all connected users.

Durham University’s Durham Energy Institute (DEI) is one of the partners in the customer-led Network Revolution - the UK’s biggest ever Smart Grid project which is at the forefront of the move towards a low-carbon economy.

The £54 million scheme led by Northern Powergrid has been funded by the Low Carbon Networks Fund (LCNF).

Durham University students Sergio Roldan and Giannis Sarrigiannis, who are both studying Renewable Energy at DEI, will leave Durham for Cardiff in the car on Monday (October 22).

They will attend the 2012 Low Carbon Networks Fund Annual Conference in Cardiff on Thursday and Friday.

Durham’s electric vehicle is a Mitsubishi I-MiEV, which has a maximum range of 80 miles between charges.

Mr Roldan said: “Electric vehicles have come a long way, but we’re trying to investigate what it means to own one and whether or not it would be a good substitute for a conventional, petrol-based car; is the infrastructure good enough yet?

“What sort of obstacles might we face on an extended excursion like this, such as trying to keep it charged? Although another reason why we’re doing this is because we think it will be fun.”

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