Energy skills centre equipped for the new nuclear age

The Energy Skills Centre, an £8m investment, is a state-of-the-art facility for teaching sustainable energy techniques and alternative energy innovations, comprises a 550m2 two storey Realistic Work Environment (RWE) for specialist training and simulated real working environments and a 270m2 two storey high engineering workshop housing a range of heavy machinery as well as a 155m2 welding workshop with 18 welding booths with access from both sides to allow the instructor to monitor the students work, all supported by a materials preparation area and a gas manifold system. The whole complex was built for sustainable design and environmental performance and features roof mounted photovoltaic cells and solar hot water heating, a 6kW wind turbine, rainwater harvesting in underground holding tanks, an area of sedum roof providing insulation and an electric car charging point. Among the installed equipment are 36 of the latest Kemppi MIG and TIG Welding systems supplied by local distributor, WB Alloy Welding Products, in Tavistock, Devon, where the company's managing director Paul Houston said: "We were delighted to be awarded the contract to supply the New Energy Centre. We were fully committed to supporting the college's training programme using the combined knowledge of both the WBA & Kemppi technical teams working in partnership with them to identify the most suitable and versatile equipment and consumables to meet their training specifications for the nuclear industry. We are also committed to continued and ongoing support through the development of the New Energy Centre training programme. In addition we are involved with a number of high profile companies currently manufacturing for the nuclear industry." Pictured: Kemppi Welding Engineer, Michael Summers carrying out equipment demonstrations for guests at opening of new Energy Skills Centre at Bridgwater College.