MEMBER NEWS: Setting sail for a sustainable future

September 27, 2023
MEMBER NEWS: Setting sail for a sustainable future

Aberdeen Science Centre will inspire future generations to discover more about offshore wind energy with a fortnight of free events.

Starting on October 2, the centre will be hosting events for schools with over 600 pupils from across the region taking part in Offshore Wind 4 Kids sessions when they visit Aberdeen Science Centre.

Funded by OPITO, this free event will also be open to the public with an Offshore Wind 4 Kids public session on Saturday October 7.

The initiative is designed to encourage young people to find out more about offshore wind. Both the public and schools’ sessions include a workshop which will see participants being challenged to take part in hands-on activities which include building and testing their own floating wind turbine.

Those taking part will complete the lifecycle of their project by decommissioning their turbine at the end of the session.

Lynda McConnach, public and digital coordinator at Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “Throughout early October we are expecting to host the true future of the floating wind industry at Aberdeen Science Centre. The Offshore Wind 4 Kids events are designed to inspire young people to find out more about engineering, technology, and renewable energy.

“We are delighted to be offering people the chance to come along and put their engineering skills into action. The public event will also help to spread awareness of offshore wind to the general public.

“The public session is on Saturday, October 7. There’s no need to book, just come along. We are excited to see the wind turbines being created on the day, we hope everyone enjoys building them, and then testing them to see whether they float. Visitors to the centre will also be able to explore our exhibits as well.”

The free public Offshore Wind 4 Kids day takes place at the midpoint of the schools’ activities. According to Aberdeen Science Centre’s school engagement coordinator, Fiona Dobie, the schools’ sessions have proved extremely popular.

“The response from schools throughout Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire has been fantastic. The sessions were booked up within four days of the signup link going live.

“The Offshore Wind 4 Kids workshops are aimed at pupils in P5 to P7. They are running for two weeks in early October, and we expect to have 19 schools taking part with an estimated 600 pupils joining in with the offshore wind energy themed events.

The Offshore Wind 4 Kids sessions at Aberdeen Science Centre, and the schools’ travel to and from the venue, are funded by OPITO as part of its My Energy Future initiative. Through the initiative, OPITO aims to capture and communicate with those who might want to be part of the solution.

Faye Sherriffs, vice president of energy transition and strategic development at OPITO, said:

“After the success of our first OffshoreWind4Kids workshops in Aberdeen in 2022, it’s brilliant to return and give more young people the chance to get hands-on experience with offshore wind.

“Access to STEM education is crucial for our journey towards building a net-zero workforce of the future. Initiatives like OffshoreWind4Kids and the valuable work of Aberdeen Science Centre are critical if we are to inspire the estimated 130,000 more people required to join the sector to realise shared net zero ambitions.

“By participating in this free event, we hope children feel excited about the limitless opportunities a career in energy can offer.”

Their programme of activities is designed to help young people discover how they can help to shape the future of the energy mix. For more information visit: Help Shape The Future of Energy | My Energy Future

Based on Constitution Street near Aberdeen beach, ASC is home to almost 65 interactive exhibits, allowing people of all ages to discover topics including Space, Energy, Life Sciences, Engineering, and much more.

Open seven days a week, Aberdeen Science Centre also offers exclusive venue hire as well as room hire for corporate, social and private events.

To book a visit to the centre, visit https://aberdeensciencecentre.org/

 

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AREG is the original energy transition organisation, working on behalf of members to empower the energy supply chain and champion its expertise. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to find out more about membership.

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AREG has played an important role in the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, engaging the supply chain and developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. However, we are only at the very beginning of the transition that AREG was established to both lead and support so there are still opportunities for companies to get into the constantly evolving renewables supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work together as renewables builds on its place as Scotland’s main source of power, and as we seek to deliver real change in the crucial areas of heat and transport.

Scottish Renewables
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Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with AREG since its formation. The recent progress in the developments of offshore wind projects by Equinor and Vattenfall are as a result of the work of the group over many years. The north-east is known as the oil and gas capital of Europe. At the Chamber, we believe the region must evolve its position to being recognised as the energy capital. Whilst hydrocarbons will continue to be essential in driving our economy for years to come, the generation of renewable resources will play an increasingly important role in providing cost-effective power, innovative development and economic growth.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce
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The enthusiasm and dedication of the early group that would become AREG was fundamental in us choosing to launch All-Energy in Aberdeen. The first tiny show was held in 2001, and AREG’s Chairman at the time, Jeremy Cresswell, played such an active role that I often describe him in terms such as All-Energy’s ‘midwife’. All-Energy is now the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference in terms of number of attendees, space booked, and number of exhibiting companies. As AREG became firmly established, their presence and support for the event grew spectacularly over the years. We thank them most sincerely for their invaluable input.

All-Energy
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Vattenfall has forged a strong working relationship with AREG through the development of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. AREG has worked tirelessly on behalf of the North East and it can take enormous credit for the growth of sustainable energy in the region and the path it has cleared for the region to capture further investment.

Vattenfall
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Aberdeen City and Shire is emerging as a key location for renewables by successfully transferring its world-class oil and gas expertise into the sector and AREG has done much to advance this through a broad range of initiatives. It has acted as a catalyst in driving further investment in the local economy by engaging with companies, Government, public bodies and existing projects and we have been pleased to support their efforts. Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with AREG as we increase Scotland’s use of renewable energy.

Scottish Enterprise