June 20, 2013
Ireland

Offaly and Kildare teachers learn about wind energy and renewables

By Damian Moran | Published on 20/06/2013 | Offaly Express | 20 June 2013 | www.offalyexpress.ie

Teachers Joanne Dempsey, Gallen Community School, Ferbane, Co Offaly and Mary Selkirk, Confey Community College, Leixlip, Co Kildare attended a KidWind Ireland Course to learn more about wind energy and renewables.

The four day course, which was sponsored by Ireland’s largest independent energy supplier, Energia, sought to support science, mathematic and geography teachers; training and equipping them to teach their students about wind energy and renewables in Ireland.

Speaking about the course, Paul McCartain from KidWind Ireland said “This course introduces teachers to the science behind wind energy while giving them the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to bring wind energy into their classrooms using standards-based activities. The training is aimed at primary and secondary school teachers interested in renewable energy, physics, general science, technical education, engineering, environmental science, and mathematics”.

Patricia Kelly, of Energia Renewables commented: “As the leading renewable electricity supplier, we are delighted to be able to support this educational project which gives teachers the skills and resources to teach their students about wind energy. Teachers learnt about the history of wind energy including the basic concept, design and technology behind wind turbines, and the present and future role of wind turbines in Ireland’s pursuit of sustainable green energy. In addition to learning how to build a model turbine, teachers also visited the Energia Power Plant in Huntstown where they had the opportunity to see a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine”.

Energia has a 28% market share of the Irish business electricity and gas market supplying the energy needs of over 65,000 business customers, including over one in every three shops.

Energia Renewables is among Ireland’s leading providers of sustainable green energy, providing 25% of Ireland’s wind power. It currently has 290MW of projects in development and has invested over €200m in windfarms since 2008. Energia Renewables has delivered exceptional results with recent wind farm openings in Caherdowney, Crighshane and Churchill adding over 60MW, and four developments currently under construction.