First-ever FJSL delegation earns top honours at international research competition
Two secondary school students from Luxembourg have earned a silver medal at the 2025 GENIUS Olympiad, an international science competition held in Rochester, New York.
Ido Somekh and Johann Bost, representing the Fondation Jeunes Scientifiques Luxembourg (FJSL), were recognised for their joint research on using electric vehicles to support national electricity grid stability. Their project ranked in the top 15% of more than 700 international entries.
The work, titled “Modelling a V2B2G Electric Vehicle Network as a BESS Substitute for National Microgrid Frequency and Stability Optimisation in Luxembourg”, was developed with support from the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST). The research explored how electric vehicles could act as backup energy storage to support grid stability, offering an alternative to traditional battery systems.
“It was a great honour to be the first Luxembourg delegation to win a silver medal,” said Bost. Somekh added, “The highlight for me was meeting people from all over the world.” Both students also received scholarship offers from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Environmental Focus, International Stage
The GENIUS Olympiad brings together young researchers from around the world to showcase projects focused on environmental sustainability, spanning science, engineering, technology, and more. This year’s edition featured more than 1,200 student finalists from 69 countries and 34 U.S. states.
Also representing Luxembourg was FJSL member Tanay Karnik, whose project “Tea and the Biodiversity Crisis” examined the environmental legacy of colonial-era tea cultivation in Darjeeling. “I made meaningful friendships and was proud to present my work internationally,” Karnik said.
All three Luxembourg participants have been invited to submit their work to the International Journal of High School Research, a peer-reviewed journal for young scientists.
A First for Luxembourg
This marks the first time Luxembourg has participated in the GENIUS Olympiad. The trip was made possible with support from the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, which backed the students due to the environmental relevance of their research.
Beyond the competition, the students toured Niagara Falls, explored New York City, and stayed in a room once used by inventor Nikola Tesla.
