Abigail Cauchi, aged 23, from Mosta in Malta, Jonathan Hurlock, aged 24, from Blackpill in Swansea, Richard Jones, aged 21, from Ebbw Vale, and Steven Welti, aged 23, from Rogerstone, Newport, have taken up Microsoft's software design challenge for students to 'imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems'.

This global competition is encouraging teams to help reach the UN's Millennium Development Goals, including ending poverty, creating education for all the world's children, getting rid of HIV, and reaching global energy sustainability.

The Swansea team, who are mentored by Dr Max Wilson of the University's Future Interaction Technologies (FIT) Laboratory, are among only six groups selected for the final round, which will take place on April 15, at Microsoft's offices in Reading.

They have won their place for their innovative concept called Frenigy: friends and energy, which aims to leverage the popularity of social networks, and influential technology to make people more aware of their energy consumption.

The team have also been invited by the competition organisers to run a video diary about their entry.

Team member Steven Welti said: "We've managed to come up with some good ideas, which have led to a really exciting project. It's going to be a challenge, and we’re going to be very busy over the next few weeks implementing the design which was accepted in the first round by Microsoft.

"Hopefully our website will attract as many users as possible, who will all be able to monitor their home electricity usage, and compare it with that of other people."

The students' mentor Dr Max Wilson added: "It's really exciting to see our students, and their developing skills, rewarded in prestigious events like the Imagine Cup. The competition is a great opportunity for students, and this success will make a nice addition to their CVs for when they graduate.

"Most of all, however, I'm really pleased to see how enthusiastic they are about the project itself, beyond the scope of the competition, so I'm looking forward to seeing lots of people sign up when Frenigy goes live and begin to engage with their own energy consumption."

The competition's theme also fits in closely with the mission of the University's FIT Lab, which is to explore and apply advanced computer science to make interaction technologies dependable, enjoyable and effective. Interaction technologies include mobile devices, the web, web 2.0, implants, home TVs, microwave cookers, ticket machines, and navigational aids.

Finalist teams from the UK will receive a trip to Warsaw, Poland to compete in the Imagine Cup Worldwide Finals in July, 2010. The competition's first prize is US$ 25,000 (approximately £15,500).

For more information about the Frenigy: friends and energy project visit http://www.frenigy.com/, and for more information about Swansea University’s FIT Lab, visit http://fitlab.eu.