This week our IB students studying aspects of environmental science got a chance to examine renewable energy visiting Rampion Offshore Wind Farm, the first built off the south coast of England. The wind farm generates enough green electricity to power the equivalent of around 350,000 UK homes, almost half of the homes in Sussex. It has an installed capacity of 400 Megawatts and generates almost 1,400 Gigawatt hours of power each year.
The students were able to discover the importance of offshore wind energy and explore how this relates to climate change and modern lifestyles. They also learned how electricity is generated from wind and how it feeds into the national grid distribution network, being prioritised over gas-generated electricity whenever it is made. They were able to experience a virtual reality of climbing up and witnessing the inner workings of their impressive wind turbines and generators within.
Yaso Shan, IB tutor on the Environmental Systems and Societies course commented, “This course covers important aspects of sustainable energy and Varndean College is very lucky to have Rampion on its doorstep. It’s an ideal opportunity for our students to keep pace with current technologies and new approaches to renewable energy sources as it will become more relevant than ever for them and their future generations.”
