Aberdeen Science Centre and Vattenfall launch wind energy education programme

ASC and Vattenfall, the company behind the innovative European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC), have developed a series of public events and outreach activities themed around offshore wind and technology which will run from this month (January) until September 2018. It will be rolled out to schools and nurseries in the region. ASC and Vattenfall will also be hosting events at major festivals including the May Festival, Techfest and the Energetica Festival.

The programme has started at ASC with the launch of a two-month energy-focused exhibition where there will be turbine and foundations demonstrations, workshops and other associated activities.

Vattenfall is also sponsoring the ASC’s annual activity weekend on February 11 and 12 when the centre will also open its doors to the public for a free Windfarm Discovery event in its Energy Zone. As part of this, Vattenfall will be showcasing the innovation and technology being deployed at the EOWDC that it is developing off Aberdeen Bay.

Members of Vattenfall’s project team behind the EOWDC – Scotland’s largest offshore wind test and demonstration facility - will be on hand to talk about the project while ASC will also run interactive workshops.

Liz Hodge, chief executive at Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “We are incredibly excited to begin our special focus on renewable energy. The EOWDC will surely make a huge difference to our surrounding areas, and we’re keen to engage our local communities, schools, and people in what this kind of energy means for us as a population. We also hope to engage people in the project, allow them to think about career options in renewables and more generally expand knowledge when it comes to energy.”

Among activities in the ongoing joint outreach programme will be public and school-facing workshops.
Renewable energy CPD (continuous personal development) sessions will also be offered to teachers to give them the confidence to explore the science behind offshore wind in the classroom, as well as resource kits to compliment the Curriculum for Excellence.

In addition, ASC’s Stem Club for 7-11 year olds will deliver a series of hands-on workshops with a focus on and feature hands-on workshops and visits from experts on offshore wind technology.

Adam Ezzamel, project director for the EOWDC at Vattenfall, said: “With offshore wind becoming a growing source of energy, the EOWDC places the North-east of Scotland at the heart of the development of clean, green energy. We want people in the region to learn about the technology behind the scheme and given ASC’s place as a pioneering site of science discovery, linking up with the centre is the perfect fit to help educate children, teachers and the wider community about wind energy generation and cutting-edge technology.

“We hope it will also encourage people to consider working in the wind energy industry which offers a vibrant and global platform for carving our long-term careers across a diverse range of professions.”