Local college goes green with Natural Power Wales

A Welsh college has invested in the latest renewable energy technologies with support from specialist Natural Power Wales.

Pembrokeshire College used the services of the Barry-based company, which is part of The COS Group, to install three solar thermal systems on top of the college roof.

The ‘demonstration roof’ is a working model which will be fully accessible by the students and will be used by the college as a teaching tool to educate about renewable energy. The model currently showcases three different types of installation techniques of solar thermal systems, including an in roof flat plate system, an on roof flat plate system and a façade mounted evacuated tube system. All three models will provide hot water for the college’s training block and gymnasium.

Natural Power Wales was awarded the £20k contract by FP Hurley of Bridgend, following a competitive tender against a number of UK renewable energy suppliers.

Lloyd Reed, technical director of Natural Power Wales said: “We are pleased to have been selected to work with Pembrokeshire College to create this innovative teaching tool. This working demonstration model is a prime example of how educational institutions can use solar projects to teach the next generation about clean technologies. The solar thermal systems will also supply the college with hot water, in turn this will help reduce their carbon footprint and overtime reduce their energy bills.”

The installation of renewable energy into the building is part of the college’s wider development plan, which included the launch of an energy training centre earlier this year allowing plumbers and engineers to learn the latest in renewable energy technology.

Added Steve Jones, director of estates: “The demonstration roof will allow us to incorporate solar thermal systems into our teaching curriculum and give students the opportunity to see how renewable energy works first hand.

“Renewable energy is increasingly becoming an essential resource which will be vital for future generations and this model will help further educate students about all aspects of renewable energy production.”

Established in 2007 Natural Power Wales was set up with the aim of helping businesses and schools in south Wales and the surrounding areas to cut their carbon dioxide emissions while producing considerable amounts of energy.

For further information on this press release, please contact freshbaked PR at pr@freshbaked.co.uk. freshbaked PR is a Cardiff based public relations agency which represents a number of private and public sector organisations in the Cardiff, Swansea and Bristol business communities, as well as Newport in south Wales, home of golf’s 2010 Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor Resort Hotel. For clients based in Cardiff PR agency services are provided from the Head Office in The Maltings.