MEMBER NEWS: Offshorewind4kids brings learning to life

August 26, 2022
MEMBER NEWS: Offshorewind4kids brings learning to life

More than 70 pupils from across Aberdeen experienced the strength of Aberdeen’s beach front winds today, (Thursday 25th August) as they built their own offshore wind turbines as part of a global STEM initiative, brought to the city by safety and skills organisation OPITO, Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) and Aberdeen Science Centre.

OffshoreWind4Kids is a project designed to educate children in the field of engineering, technology, and renewable energy. Through facilitated activities on the beach, children were tasked with building their own prototype of an offshore wind turbine to withstand specified wind and wave conditions. Once decommissioned, the group had the opportunity to visit Aberdeen Science Centre to access to the wide range of interactive exhibits on offer, including the interactive OPITO – Theatre of Energy.

Andy Williamson, Senior Vice President of Energy Transition and Global STEM Lead at OPITO said:

“The Offshorewind4kids initiative offers a fantastic opportunity to involve children in STEM related activities from an early age to engage, inspire and excite them. Workshops like this are a great way to let them get hands-on experience, understand more about renewable energy, and explore what a career in this field might involve.

“With the UK Government targeting up to 50 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, the need for a highly skilled workforce to support the development of future projects has never been stronger. As an industry, it is our responsibility to attract the next generation of young people with the passion, creativity, and determination to imagine a different future and the infinite possibilities a career in the energy industry can offer.”

OPITO has been committed to inspiring the next generation to pursue a career in the energy industry for decades. Its extensive programme of resources and events include a £600,000 investment in the Aberdeen Science Centre, recently awarded five-star status by VisitScotland, the My Energy Future online platform and the Piper Alpha Memorial Safety Scholarship.

Bryan Snelling, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Science Centre, said:

“We are pleased to be supporting the OffshoreWind4kids project and hosting the schools who are taking part at the science centre, where they will learn more about renewable energy. They will have the chance to explore our 60 hands-on interactive exhibits and visit the OPITO Theatre of Energy.

“As the only one of its kind in the UK, this immersive theatre explores different sources of energy and challenges visitors to play a game where they have to find the right mix to keep the lights on in a city.

“We work closely with OPITO to provide STEM education and workshops which we hope will inspire visitors of all ages, but particularly young people, to relate STEM to their career choices as the energy industry works towards Net Zero targets.”

David Rodger, CEO, Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG), said:

“As the original energy transition organisation in the North-east we represent many of the companies at the forefront of the renewables sector and it’s exciting to be part of this event with OPITO and the Science Centre.”

“It’s been reported that jobs in the UK offshore wind industry could reach 100,000 by 2030 and we need skilled workers to fill these positions. Introducing the next generation of the workforce to engineering, technology and renewable energy with something fun like building a wind turbine close to the Aberdeen Offshore Windfarm, is engaging, and interesting and hopefully it encourages the children to go away excited about the possibility of a career in this area.”

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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