Latest news : Community News

Dogger Bank STEM programme wins in Engineer’s 2023 Collaborate to Innovate Awards

13th March 2024 in Community News, Project news

An innovative programme which challenged South Tyneside youngsters to use their imagination to find new ways of harnessing renewable energy has taken first place in the STEM Initiative category of a national awards scheme.

The South Tyneside and Beyond programme, which was delivered by Little Inventors in partnership with South Tyneside Council and Dogger Bank Wind Farm, was awarded the top spot at The Engineer magazine’s Collaborate to Innovate Awards.

The programme saw over 3,000 children take part in an ‘invention challenge’, which encouraged the youngsters to expand their skills in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) by broadening their knowledge of renewable energy and how it can be used to bring about positive change for the planet.

Year 4 pupils came up with a wide range of creative ideas, including a ‘turtle motorway, an ‘auto shivering device’ and ‘wind mirrors’ which use propellors on car wing mirrors to capture enough energy to power the radio and sat nav – a design that was shortlisted in the Young Innovator category.

To give credence to the creations, the best designs were transformed into prototypes by industry partners and put on display at The Word in South Shields.

Cllr Jane Carter, Lead Member for Education and Skills, said: “South Tyneside has a burgeoning ‘green’ sector but it is vital that our young people know about the skills that will be needed in the future to secure these high-quality jobs.

“This project has demonstrated the tangible value that collaboration between education and industry can bring for all concerned. It has shown how creativity and imagination can be used to solve real-world problems, while also raising the aspirations, knowledge and confidence of our young people.”

The second year of the project is now underway with a programme of school-based workshops where young people can learn more STEM subjects, using Dogger Bank – currently the world’s largest offshore wind farm being built off the North East coastline – as inspiration.

Craig Bright from Little Inventors said: “We take young people’s ideas from all around the world seriously, and to have the opportunity to make a difference to the wonderful little inventors in South Tyneside in collaboration with South Tyneside Council and Dogger Bank Wind Farm was such a fantastic experience. We’re absolutely thrilled that the efforts of everybody involved have been recognised with this award.”

Kay Doragh, Community Investment Manager at Equinor – one of the industry partners in the project – added: “The Powering the Future programme really benefits from the trust it puts in young people to have amazing and innovative ideas, as seen in the brilliant Wind Mirrors invention by nine-year old Isaac from Cleadon. It’s this creative drive that we hope will inspire young people to embrace STEM in education and as a future career, especially in renewable energy.”

Tees Valley youngsters to create net zero hero for storybook competition

7th March 2024 in Community News, Press releases, Project news

Primary school children are being challenged to create an energy-themed superhero story as part of a competition launched by Dogger Bank Wind Farm and its partners in Redcar and Cleveland. 

The 500-word challenge is being launched on World Book Day 2024, to inspire young people to learn about where energy comes from, and how it’s used as a positive force in the world.

In their stories the schoolchildren will create an “energy superhero” which uses its superpowers to save the day.

The competition is part of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm-funded Building our Futures programme, which aims to embed careers education into every primary school in Redcar and Cleveland through engaging workshops supported by local employers.

The programme is being delivered by Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency (RCVDA) with strategic support and guidance from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

“More than 750 children from over 30 schools have taken part in Building Our Futures workshops since we launched the programme last year,” said programme manager for the RCVDA, Jacqui Hutchinson.

“Children have been inspired by real-life workplace representatives from Dogger Bank’s supply chain and wider local businesses, with pupils experiencing first-hand accounts of careers in a diverse range of industries.

 “The book competition will enable young people to use their creative side to express their thoughts about the role different forms of energy play in our lives, and why it’s important to understand where this energy comes from.

 “We can’t wait to see our bright, enquiring young people bring their net zero heroes to life.”

The World Book Day competition is being supported by Dogger Bank Wind Farm construction contractor Keltbray, Teesside University, Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency and BBC Tees.

Dogger Bank Wind farm is a joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor and Vårgrønn. The wind farm is being built 80 miles off the Yorkshire coast, and will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm when it’s fully commissioned in 2026.

The north and north-east of England are playing a critical role in the delivery and operation of the wind farm, and more than 2,000 UK based roles have been created or supported in relation to the construction and operation of the wind farm.

Dogger Bank Wind Farm will transmit renewable energy via national electricity network substations in East Riding of Yorkshire, and at Lackenby on Teesside.

The wind farm’s operation and maintenance base is located at Port of Tyne, and the Able Seaton port near Hartlepool is being used by the project’s turbine manufacturer for carrying out pre-assembly work on the turbines during the construction programme.

Primary schools can enter the World Book Day competition at World Book Day Competition – Building our Future – RCVDA

April 12 is the closing date for entries. Authors of the winning books will receive a book voucher and the chance for their class to visit Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s operation and maintenance base at Port of Tyne.

 

Dogger Bank described as ‘market leader’ by community investment report author

21st February 2024 in Community News, Project news

Raised aspirations in schools and reduced debt burden for students are just some of the outcomes highlighted in an independent report evaluating the impact of Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s £1 million investment in key communities during its initial construction period.

The report, by independent social research experts ekosgen, looked at Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s community investment programme between 2021 and 2023.

In its conclusions, ekosgen describes Dogger Bank Wind Farm as a market leader for its commitment to evaluating outcomes and areas for improvement in its community investment.

The Dogger Bank Wind Farm £1 million construction fund was launched in summer 2021, to support the communities closest to the sites that will be home to the onshore assets required to operate and maintain the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

Split between the areas of East Riding of Yorkshire, Redcar & Cleveland and South Tyneside, the package of financial support focused on enhancing science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education, to help young people prepare for life in a net zero world.

Working with the local education providers in each of the three key areas, the award-winning wind farm project funded bespoke programmes to address the individual needs in each area.

In addition to this, 62 students across the three key communities received £5,000 scholarships to support their STEM education courses, and £1,000 grants were awarded to grassroots community initiatives through a scheme known as the operator fund.

Teachers who provided feedback to the authors of the study talked about their ability to extend pupils’ knowledge of careers, and enhancing links with employers and career specialists.

Feedback from STEM students showed financial support from Dogger Bank Wind Farm has helped to reduce the burden of student debt, while the report states grants available to grassroots community initiatives are straightforward to access and can have a big impact in the wind farm’s key communities.

The report also highlights areas for further development to take into consideration as the wind farm refines its plans for further investment during its 35-your operational lifetime.

The progress highlighted in the report shows what can be achieved when industry works together with local authorities and communities to create opportunities for coastal communities to flourish.

The full report is available here:

https://doggerbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Dogger-Bank-Wind-Farm-community-investment-evaluation-report-February-2024.pdf

J&B Recycling supports families in North East using wind farm revenues

20th February 2024 in Community News, Supply Chain

J&B Recycling has announced its first annual donation to the charity Feeding Families. This contribution is sourced from the revenue generated by recycling materials from the construction of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.

In 2023 J&B Recycling secured a 3-year contract with GE Renewable Energy for sustainable waste management during the construction of the wind farm. This collaboration underscores a shared interest in environmental responsibility while also having a direct impact on the local community.

Under the terms of the agreement with GE Renewable Energy, J&B Recycling committed to donating revenue from recycled materials to a local charity. The chosen beneficiary, Feeding Families, operates in the North East to combat food poverty. Given the current economic situation, this support is particularly relevant and needed in the region where J&B Recycling operates.

Ingrid Brough-Williams, Marketing Manager at J&B Recycling, said:

“The scale of their operation is substantial; they need to distribute over 3,000 boxes monthly to those in need. It’s a challenging task, especially as they cannot always rely on food donations and often have to purchase supplies. Hearing the stories of individuals and families in our area facing severe hardship was eye-opening and underscores the importance of our contribution.”

Sarah McPhie from Feeding Families, said:

“We are incredibly grateful for the support from J&B Recycling and Dogger Bank Wind Farm. This partnership is not just about the financial contribution; it’s a lifeline for many families. It’s heartening to see local companies stepping up to make a real difference in the community. Their support enables us to continue our work, reaching more families in need during these challenging times.”

Dogger Bank Wind Farm Community Engagement Manager, Rachel Lawrence, said:

“It’s truly heart warming to see our supply chain improving the lives of families in our key communities. J&B are helping us to ensure the legacy of our construction programme is far-reaching and helping those who most need it.”

 

 

Dogger Bank Wind Farm and South Tyneside Council STEM programme nominated for two awards in the Engineer’s 2023 Collaborate to Innovate Awards

18th December 2023 in Community News

Powering the Future: South Tyneside and Beyond!, a programme by South Tyneside Council and Dogger Bank Wind Farm, has been nominated for two prestigious awards in the Engineer’s 2023 Collaborate to Innovate Awards.

The programme aims to inspire and engage year 4 and 5 students, aged between 8 to 10, in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects while also preparing them for the career opportunities provided by the renewable energy sector. In the programme, Year 4 and 5 students from South Tyneside and beyond have been challenged to create a renewable energy invention using movement and wind.

The programme has been nominated for the Young Innovator award, following an invention idea from Nine-year-old Isaac, from Cleadon, who created ‘Wind Mirrors’, a creation which uses propellors attached to vehicle wing mirrors to generate renewable electricity. The programme has also been nominated in the category for best STEM Initiative.

We are thrilled to be nominated for two Collaborate to Innovate Awards,said Tom Nightingale, Stakeholder Manager at Dogger Bank Wind Farm.Through this programme, we have been able to showcase careers and opportunities in the renewable energy sector to the next generation. We are proud of the innovative ideas submitted in the programme, and are amazed to see creative ideas from local young people address real world energy problems.

Councillor Jane Carter, Lead Member for Education and Skills, said:It’s never too early to raise the awareness of the skills needed for the jobs of the future.
“This innovative project also helped us to engage and nurture the creative talents of our young people while also raising their aspirations about the careers they can go on to enjoy in the renewable energy sector.

The Engineer’s Collaborate to Innovate Awards aim to celebrate the best in collaborative innovation across various sectors. The awards commend projects that demonstrate collaboration between different organizations, academic institutions, and industry leaders. The winners of the awards will be announced at a ceremony held on Thursday 29th February 2024 in London.

For more information about the South Powering the Future initiative, visit https://southtyneside.littleinventors.org/

Image caption: Wind Mirrors, by Isaac from Cleadon, North East England