A site visit to the UK’s biggest onshore windfarm generated serious interest from nine students on Forth Valley College’s SFW Renewables course (Nat 5 Level) recently.
On Thursday 5 October the group and lecturers John Paton and Kevin McLaren toured the 539 Mega-Watt Whitelee Windfarm, situated south of Glasgow on Eaglesham Moor and operated by Scottish Power Renewables, the 215 wind turbines regularly generate up to 539 Mega-watts of electricity, and occupies more than 80 square kilometres. The windfarm also hosts a Visitor Centre which is operated by Glasgow Science Centre.
As part of their course the students have to visit a working renewable system so they undertook the windfarm guided tour, explored the exhibition and took part in the ‘Wind Works’ workshop. This took place in a high-tech fully equipped Learning Hub. The Hub is an engaging and exciting setting ideal for developing confidence in investigative skills and empowering pupils to contribute effectively. Sessions incorporate highly practical activities, problem solving and an opportunity to observe the applications of science in real life.
During the Wind Works session, the students discovered how to harness the power of the wind as they built and tested the energy output of their own wind turbine in this collaborative, investigative workshop.
This was ideal for the students on the course, which is aimed at those who would like to work within the Construction and Engineering industries, with a focus on Renewable Energy projects.
This course provides students with experience of a broad range of different type of construction and engineering skills to progress on to National Qualifications. It aims to give individuals greater confidence in their own abilities and fully inform them about the Construction and Engineering Sectors.
FVC Construction Lecturer John Paton, said: “The trip went well and the students enjoyed themselves, as well as learning about the construction of a windfarm and how wind can be converted into electricity.”
For more information on FVC Construction courses visit https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/courses/construction
