Life changing experience for STEM students

NUAST students travel to Germany (Whole School - 15/08/2016)

Promoting science and engineering careers to young people is a common theme for many companies nowadays, and is being given particular attention by Nottingham-based renewable energy company Sasie Ltd.

Following a successful work placement to encourage 90 young women into science careers, Sasie has now expanded its horizons and taken a further 51 young people to Germany to study renewable energy and engineering topics, thanks to a successful funding bid from Erasmus+. In late April 2016, students aged 16 – 18 from schools across Nottingham were invited to join Sasie on a visit to Wildpoldsried, Bavaria, to spend two weeks immersed in renewable technologies, in conjunction with partner organisation Christiani GmbH and supported by School Energy Efficiency CIC.

Wildpoldsried, famous for its extraordinary level of renewable energy generation, was an ideal destination for the group. Generating nearly 700% of its electricity requirements and over two thirds of its heating requirements, Wildpoldsried contains solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, biogas, biomass plus CHP plants and a district heating scheme, and excels in teaching, innovation, research and leisure alike. Wildpoldsried’s gold European Energy Award allows students to discover how simple it is to generate energy in a clean and sustainable method, and crucially, how a community can unite to deliver benefits to all its members.

Partner organisation Christiani designed a rewarding and fulfilling itinerary. Alongside studying Wildpoldsried’s many features, students built their very own ‘solar work briefcase’; this involved mounting a solar panel, connecting the battery, fuse and mains adapter, and completing all necessary wiring. Students visited a hydroelectric power plant providing electricity for a city, a waste combustion plant with annual emissions less than a single cigarette, solar battery manufacturer Sonnen GmbH and other locations showcasing innovative and exciting uses of renewable technologies, for example a house that rotates to face the sun and solar panels which increase crop production beneath them.

Students gained an Award in the Rational Use of Renewable Technologies, offered at Level 2 or Level 3, designed and written by Sasie. Students then demonstrated their knowledge by completing a desktop solar photovoltaic assessment on a building of their choice, taking into account many parameters such as orientation, irradiance, inclination, shading, payback period and financial benefits.

Supporting the placement was James Veness of School Energy Efficiency CIC. By delivering interactive presentations and workshops with leading businesspeople and environmental campaigners, students gained an understanding of the wider sustainability issues such as plastic pollution and how renewable technologies are used to make a difference to the lives of people in poor rural communities.

Students also had the opportunity for cultural activities, with visits to Kempten and Munich, Kind Ludwig II’s fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle and the Deutsches Museum, the largest science museum in the world.

The two week excursion was made possible due to funding from Erasmus+, the EU’s programme giving opportunities for students to study across Europe. For many students, this was the first time they had travelled abroad, and feedback was phenomenal.

‘It has been a great trip’ explained one student. ‘It changed the way I think about the environment and has given me a whole new perspective about the energy I use at home. It has also pushed me to do positive actions to get positive results. I have learnt a huge amount about renewable energy technologies, as before the trip I did not know what they did or how they worked’.

Sasie are planning further trips in the future; any students who would be interested in taking part are encouraged to get in touch.

About Sasie Ltd

Sasie Ltd was incorporated in March 2006 by Mo Kelly, and has quickly become well known in the East Midlands for renewable energy expertise.

Based in Nottingham and working nationally, Sasie Ltd is now one of the UK’s leading accredited installers of renewable energy systems.  We offer a high quality service, across a broad product base, from concept to commissioning; encompassing system design, consultancy, supply and installation in both the domestic and commercial sectors.  Sasie specialise in the integration of multiple renewable technologies into single systems using fully programmable internet connected controls.

About Sasie Training Ltd

Sasie Training Ltd was established in February 2012 to deliver high quality training courses in renewable energy technologies and sustainability.

In conjunction with AIM Awards, Sasie Training Ltd has written their own Ofqual accredited training courses in renewable technologies. We offer a wide range of Awards, Certificates and Diplomas for both the domestic and commercial renewable technology markets; as industry leaders we will ensure that you are up to date with current standards and the most recent legislation. Courses are offered on a flexible basis using state of the art training facilities and equipment at our training centre in Nottingham.

 

Sasie Ltd                              www.sasie.co.uk                             info@sasie.co.uk             0115 916 1046

Sasie Training Ltd             www.sasietraining.co.uk              training@sasie.co.uk      0115 916 1046