14.07.06
First UK Graduates in Renewable Energy

This week's Government Energy Review once again raised the UK target for renewable energy. A DTI report in 2004 estimated that up to 35,000 jobs in the renewables sector will be created by 2020, and identified a current shortfall in suitable skills.

The University of Exeter this week takes a pioneering step forward in addressing this skill shortage. Friday 14 July sees the graduation of the first ever UK graduates in Renewable Energy. Eight students have completed the BSc taught by the Camborne School of Mines at the University of Exeter's Cornwall campus, and are using experience gained in vocational placements with energy companies as they begin work.

Staffan Lindahl, 24, has been billed as a Brunel of the future, having won an engineering competition for his invention of a wave energy device. He came from Sweden to do the course, and now has a job with renewable energy consultancy Garrad Hassan, based in Bristol.

Dan Letch, 32, previously worked on special effects on films including Matrix Reloaded, Harry Potter and James Bond and has toured with rock bands. He has been appointed Wind Project Developer with Green Peninsula Ltd, based in Cornwall, sister company of Pure Energy Professionals Ltd with whom he worked during his studies. Dan combined studies with fatherhood – his son was born during his final year.

Holly Moore, 28, was previously a chef, but following her success in gaining a first class degree has secured a post as a Project Development Assistant in the Penzance office of Dutch-owned renewable energy developer Nuon. Fellow first-achiever Nathan Billings, 21 is currently setting up his own business which will install small renewable generators to domestic and business premises.

Andy Curtis, 24, was the top student of the year and has recently begun to study on the prestigious European Mining Course, leading to a Master's degree in Mining Engineering. This will involve study in Finland, the Netherlands and Germany as well as Cornwall. Matt Neighbour, 23, is also continuing with studies, staying at the Camborne School of Mines to work towards an MSc in Minerals Engineering. He spent a summer work placement manufacturing and testing biodiesel in India.

Also graduating are Phil Overy and Zoe Smith, both 21. Twenty-five other students are working towards the 3-year course, which has been accredited by the Energy Institute and Engineering Council. A new intake of 35 students will begin to study on the course from September 2006.

Dr Peter Connor, Lecturer in Renewable Energy Policy, says: "The renewable energy sector is vital to addressing the problems of climate change. These graduates are helping the South West take the lead in supporting this growing sector."

The BSc in Renewable Energy is taught by the Camborne School of Mines within the School of Geography, Archaeology & Earth Resources, at the University of Exeter's Cornwall campus near Falmouth. The course is sponsored by Scottish and Southern Energy Plc. The department also works closely with npower renewables.

The £130-million Tremough campus is a Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative of which the University of Exeter and University College Falmouth are founding partners. It is funded mainly by the European Union (Objective One), the South West Regional Development Agency, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, with support from Cornwall County Council. Set in 70 acres of countryside, but close to the waterside towns of Penryn and Falmouth, the campus offers a lively student community. The University of Exeter is expanding its courses available to be studied there, adding subjects including Politics, Law and History to existing degrees in Mining Engineering, Geology, Biology, Geography, English and Renewable Energy.

For further information please contact Abigail Dixon of Exeter University on 01392 262308 or email Abigail.Dixon@exeter.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2 through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). University of Exeter is a partner in the CUC.

Editor's notes:

The BSc Renewable Energy students will graduate on Friday 14 July at 2.30.
Pictures will be available after the event.

The department of renewable energy has links with the following pioneering companies in the renewable energy sector:

Wardell Armstrong International LLP
Garrad Hassan and Partners Ltd
Seacore Ltd
Kensa Engineering Ltd
Bill Dunster Architects/ZEDFactory ltd
Earth Eenrgy Ltd
Geoscience Ltd
IPSA Power Ltd
Wind & Wave Renewable Energy Consultants

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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