Sir Jim McDonald FREng FRSE, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2019–2024) by Gerard M. Burns, 2024
Sir Jim has made significant contributions to energy, education, and industrial innovation. Beginning his career as a graduate apprentice in Glasgow, he rose through the ranks to become Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde in 2009.
He was knighted in 2012 for his services to education, engineering and the economy, and in 2019 became the first Scottish person to be elected President of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
A long-standing champion of engineering-led climate solutions, he has described the delivery of sustainable energy as “the biggest challenge of the century.”
For more on Sir Jim’s thoughts on powering a greener future click here.
Windräder II by Christiane Baumgartner, woodcut on Japanese Kozo paper (edition of 6), 2003
Baumgartner reimagines the wind turbine using the visual language of a still image from a video. Known for her monumental woodcuts based on film and video, her process begins with digital footage and evolves through meticulous carving to translate it into a woodcut print. This method mirrors engineering principles - precision, iteration, and transformation - bridging art and technology in a striking, contemporary image.
For more about the artist click here.
Onshore and offshore wind energy: what’s the difference?
Wind power is key to a carbon-free electricity system. Onshore and offshore turbines employ similar technology to generate electricity, but differ in terms of location, size, and scale. Offshore installations are typically larger and more complex, with electricity transferred via undersea cables, while onshore turbines are more accessible and often part of smaller networks. Together, they harness the wind to power our future.