I AM MORE ENCOURAGED THAN EVER TO PURSUE MY INTEREST IN ENERGY INNOVATION
FRANCES HALLEN
I AM MORE ENCOURAGED THAN EVER TO PURSUE MY INTEREST IN ENERGY INNOVATION
FRANCES HALLEN
SHINING LIGHT ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
As a child, Frances Hallen’s parents instilled in her the need to make a difference in the world.
“I never doubted that everyone had a responsibility to build healthier communities,” she said.
The field of renewable energy development offered Frances the chance to merge her passions for problem-solving and sustainability. Now in her fourth year in Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo, she has pursued a wide range of activities – from co-op roles to student leadership positions – that fuel her efforts to create positive change in areas she’s passionate about. And Waterloo donors are helping her do that.
“Donor support opens doors previously unavailable to me due to financial barriers,” said Frances, who pays her own tuition and living expenses.
In 2023, for example, she received the Neufeld-Oberle Memorial Award, which provides financial assistance to undergraduate students participating in international exchange programs. The award allowed Frances to attend a renewable energy engineering program in Madrid, Spain. The experience deepened her understanding of the global intersections between energy resource management, economies and the environment.
Frances was also awarded the Louis Giroux Co-op Scholarship in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Science, recognizing exceptional undergraduate co-op students working in this field. And earlier this year, she was named the Co-op Student of the Year from the Faculty of Engineering. Frances was honoured for her achievements during her work term with EDF Renewables, where she helped develop wind, solar and energy storage projects across North America.
“One of the most rewarding aspects was the opportunity to support and accelerate low-carbon energy transition in a way that directly benefited the communities where our projects were implemented,” she said.
During her work term, Frances also conducted research that demonstrated the environmental and economic advantages of agrivoltics – the dual use of land for solar energy production and agriculture – over more costly and inefficient biofuel production.
“My study found that agrivoltics systems can generate more energy and support greater food production while contributing to improved soil health and animal welfare, displacing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting agricultural economies.”
Aside from her academic and co-op experiences, Frances is deeply involved in community leadership and extracurricular activities.
“One of my proudest leadership initiatives is acting as president of the University of Waterloo Energy Network (UWEN), a means for students passionate about driving sustainable energy development to connect and become more involved in the industry,” Frances said.
“I am more encouraged than ever to pursue my interest in energy innovation and I hope to inspire more women to work in STEM.”
Hear how Frances Hallen is using her co-op terms to advance renewable energy development.
“I never doubted that everyone had a responsibility to build healthier communities,” she said.
The field of renewable energy development offered Frances the chance to merge her passions for problem-solving and sustainability. Now in her fourth year in Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo, she has pursued a wide range of activities – from co-op roles to student leadership positions – that fuel her efforts to create positive change in areas she’s passionate about. And Waterloo donors are helping her do that.
“Donor support opens doors previously unavailable to me due to financial barriers,” said Frances, who pays her own tuition and living expenses.
In 2023, for example, she received the Neufeld-Oberle Memorial Award, which provides financial assistance to undergraduate students participating in international exchange programs. The award allowed Frances to attend a renewable energy engineering program in Madrid, Spain. The experience deepened her understanding of the global intersections between energy resource management, economies and the environment.
Frances was also awarded the Louis Giroux Co-op Scholarship in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Science, recognizing exceptional undergraduate co-op students working in this field. And earlier this year, she was named the Co-op Student of the Year from the Faculty of Engineering. Frances was honoured for her achievements during her work term with EDF Renewables, where she helped develop wind, solar and energy storage projects across North America.
“One of the most rewarding aspects was the opportunity to support and accelerate low-carbon energy transition in a way that directly benefited the communities where our projects were implemented,” she said.
During her work term, Frances also conducted research that demonstrated the environmental and economic advantages of agrivoltics – the dual use of land for solar energy production and agriculture – over more costly and inefficient biofuel production.
“My study found that agrivoltics systems can generate more energy and support greater food production while contributing to improved soil health and animal welfare, displacing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting agricultural economies.”
Aside from her academic and co-op experiences, Frances is deeply involved in community leadership and extracurricular activities.
“One of my proudest leadership initiatives is acting as president of the University of Waterloo Energy Network (UWEN), a means for students passionate about driving sustainable energy development to connect and become more involved in the industry,” Frances said.
“I am more encouraged than ever to pursue my interest in energy innovation and I hope to inspire more women to work in STEM.”
Hear how Frances Hallen is using her co-op terms to advance renewable energy development.
