16 December 2024
Fife College, supported by Shell UK, has unveiled the first phase of its pioneering Energy Transition Skills Hub at the College’s Rosyth Campus, a transformative facility designed to prepare students and the local workforce for Scotland’s renewable energy future.
Funded by Shell UK, the state-of-the-art hub marks a significant contribution to Scotland’s Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan, which projects the creation of 50,000 green jobs by 2030. By providing immersive, hands-on learning experiences, the hub will equip students with practical skills and knowledge in renewable energy technologies, including SmartGrids, wind, and solar PV systems.
At the heart of the hub will be a purpose-built NanoGrid, a small-scale, representative electrical grid system housed within a semi-mobile unit. This innovative design will allow the NanoGrid to seamlessly transition between the Rosyth Campus and Fife College’s state-of-the-art Dunfermline Campus, set to open in 2025. This mobility ensures that students and communities across the region have access to cutting-edge training opportunities.
The NanoGrid provides a unique learning experience, enabling students to get hands-on experience in grid design, smart grid management, and the practical skills needed for installation and maintenance. Over the next three years, the NanoGrid will evolve to include features such as hydrogen energy storage, EV charging points, and smart home integrations, ensuring it remains aligned with the latest advancements in renewable energy technology.
The Energy Transition Skills Hub aims to raise awareness within Fife’s communities about the transformative opportunities in the renewable energy sector, inspiring individuals to pursue careers in this growing field. It builds on Shell UK’s legacy of energy skills development while addressing the critical skills gap in Scotland’s green economy.
Pauline McGeevor, Community Liaison Officer, Shell UK said:
"This is about investing in opportunities for people in Fife, providing the skills to work in future energy technologies. It builds on decades of investment we at Shell UK have made in energy skills in north-east Scotland.
"Our new Fife College energy transition skills hub is part of our ambition to support 15,000 people into jobs with a focus on the energy transition by 2035. It will also be essential to helping create a well-trained workforce in the UK that is capable of delivering net zero."
Sarah-Jane Linton, Chief Academic Officer at Fife College, said:
"The Energy Transition Skills Hub is an exciting milestone for Fife College and a significant step towards supporting Scotland’s green economy.
"By working with Shell UK, we’re proud to contribute to the training of a skilled workforce that will help achieve Scotland’s net zero goals. With access to cutting-edge technologies and hands-on training, Fife College students are preparing to lead Scotland’s renewable energy future.
"This Hub is not just an investment in skills but in the sustainability of our communities and industries. As we look towards the next 125 years of Fife College, our 21,000 students across the Kingdom of Fife will continue to carry forward George Lauder and Andrew Carnegie’s vision, developing the skills and knowledge to advance themselves and our nation."
The Energy Transition Skills Hub at Fife College is one of three new energy transition skills hubs in the UK with others being created in Aberdeen and Pembrokeshire. Supported by Shell UK, these teaching facilities aim to help people to develop skills to ensure the energy transition is an opportunity for everyone.
The NanoGrid Learning Environment (NGLE) will provide an immersive and interactive learning experience for students. It will include a representative grid system with small-scale solar panels, small wind turbines, sensors and associated software and computers.
The system will be scalable over three years. Hydrogen energy storage systems will be added, as well as EV charging points and smart home connections. The NGLE will be the anchor element of the hub, supporting a broad course portfolio and enabling project-based, interdisciplinary learning.
Fife College traces its roots to 10 October 1899, when Lauder Technical School opened its doors in Dunfermline, thanks to the vision of Lauder and the generous financial backing of his nephew, the renowned philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Since then, the College has evolved through the years, becoming a cornerstone of learning and innovation in the Fife region.
Fife College’s new Dunfermline Campus, set to welcome students in 2025/26, is part of the new Dunfermline Learning Campus – an innovative, integrated and collaborative venture to relocate the College's Dunfermline Campus, St Columba’s RC High School and Woodmill High School to a purpose-built and state-of-the-art new campus.
ABOUT SHELL U.K. LTD
Shell is an international energy company with expertise in the exploration, production, refining and marketing of oil and natural gas, and the manufacturing and marketing of chemicals. Shell uses advanced technologies and takes an innovative approach to help build a sustainable energy future. Shell invests in power, including from renewable sources.
Shell also invests in electric vehicle charging and low-carbon fuels for transport, such as advanced biofuels and hydrogen.
Shell aims to help 15,000 people into jobs with a focus on the energy transition by 2035.
More details about Shell UK’s Energy Transition Hubs can be found here.