OJ Engineering: Newsletter

    Welcome to this week's edition of the OJ Engineering newsletter! We've rounded up the most exciting and relevant developments in the fields of STEM and engineering from the past eight days, bringing you the latest breakthroughs, research, and innovations.
In the past week, a significant power outage struck mainland Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and parts of southwestern France, causing widespread disruptions to metro systems, traffic lights, and critical infrastructure. Authorities are still investigating the cause, with early reports suggesting either a fire damaging a high-voltage line or a potential cyberattack. Restoration efforts are ongoing, with estimates ranging from a few hours to a full week depending on the region affected.

The United Kingdom launched a major new initiative, the Exploring Climate Cooling Programme, dedicating £61 million to research methods of solar geoengineering. The program will explore techniques like stratospheric aerosol injection, marine cloud brightening, and cirrus cloud thinning as potential tools to combat global warming. Safety and environmental impact assessments will be prioritized before any real-world experiments are conducted, ensuring a cautious approach to this emerging field.

Diamondback Energy announced a $1.5 million donation to the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Midland College to support local engineering education and workforce development in the Permian Basin. The program, which enables students to start their engineering degrees locally before transferring to Texas A&M’s main campus, has seen a 53% enrollment increase since its inception, and this funding aims to sustain and expand that growth.

Spain celebrated the launch of a new high-speed AVE train service connecting Barcelona and Seville, cutting travel times and strengthening the country's already extensive high-speed rail network. This expansion reflects Spain’s continued commitment to sustainable, efficient transportation solutions across the region.In India, Gensol Engineering faced legal trouble after the Directorate of Enforcement raided its offices in Gurgaon and Ahmedabad. The company is accused of defaulting on loans and misusing funds earmarked for business activities. Gensol has denied the allegations and is pursuing legal remedies to contest the enforcement agency’s actions.

Corpus Christi’s Harbor Bridge project moved closer to completion this week, with final preparations underway for its opening scheduled for May 2025. When completed, it will become the largest cable-stayed, concrete-segmental bridge in the United States, improving transportation infrastructure and regional connectivity across South Texas.

CenterPoint Energy conducted major upgrades to Houston’s electric grid this weekend, prompting a full closure of Interstate-10 between April 26 and April 28. These efforts are part of a broader plan to strengthen the city’s transmission lines, especially in response to previous widespread outages caused by extreme weather events in recent years.

Finally, the 2025 Student Robotics competition concluded at the University of Southampton, where The Highfield School took first place. The event showcased outstanding engineering and programming talent among high school students, with Queen Mary’s College winning the Excellence in Engineering Award for their innovative design and performance.

Until next time,
The OJ Engineering Team