Discovery Museum has been shortlisted in the national Museums + Heritage Awards – dubbed the ‘Oscars’ of the cultural sector – in the Partnership of the Year category for its exhibition Steam to Green: A North East Energy Revolution [https://discoverymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/steam-to-green-a-north-east-energy-revolution].
Created in partnership with Newcastle University, and headline sponsor Vattenfall, the museum worked with multiple partners across the green energy and travel sector in the North East to create Steam to Green, an ambitious two-year exhibition and events programme charting the story of energy in the North East, past, present and future.
19 businesses contributed their green technology stories and donated objects for display, including a cutaway electric car, subsea cables, solar panels, a virtual reality wind farm tour and a heat source pump.
They include: Alfen; CPI; Equans; Equinor; Gateshead Energy Centre; Go North East; Ideal Boilers; JDR Cables; Karbon Homes; Lynemouth Power; Lumo; The National Grid; Nexus; Northern Gas Networks; Nissan; ORE Catapult; PPSL District Heating Ltd; Vattenfall and Weardale Lithium.
The exhibition was also supported by five partners – Newcastle University, headline sponsor Vattenfall, Lumo, Nexus and Northumbrian Water.
The Museums + Heritage Awards ceremony will take place at Hilton London on Thursday 15 May, hosted by National Geographic Explorer, palaeoanthropologist, evolutionary biologist and stand-up comic, Ella Al-Shamahi.
Keith Merrin, Director of North East Museums, which manages Discovery Museum, said:
“It’s a testament to the number and calibre of the partners involved in the Steam to Green project that Discovery Museum has been recognised at a national level. The North East has a reputation for innovation and the unique way we’ve created the Steam to Green programme reflects that. We are thrilled to be able to share our region’s work on a national stage.”
Professor Colin Herron CBE from Newcastle University said:
“The North East of England is leading the transition to electrification from power generation. Newcastle University has a key role in ensuring that the transition is enabled with people who are suitably qualified.
“To do this, we need to inspire and educate the next generation of engineers and scientists. It is important that the parents of the children who will be pursuing careers understand the technology, and the scale of activity in a neutral environment.
“Steam to Green has provided a window into this technology, which even in its early stages has seen thousands of the public and importantly children attending. It has been a pleasure working with the Discovery Museum.”
Vattenfall, a leading European energy company, employing 100 staff across the North East are the headline sponsor of the Steam to Green exhibition.
Matthew Bacon from Vattenfall, said:
“Vattenfall is delighted to support Steam to Green at Discovery Museum at a time when inspiring people about the possibilities of a green fossil fuel free future is so important. Working together makes us stronger; the Ray Wind Farm meets around 10% of Northumberland’s electricity needs every year, so Vattenfall is a key part of the North East’s energy transition.”
Steam to Green features an exhibition and events programme for adults and families, and careers fairs and school workshops to inform and inspire the next generation highlighting pathways for career opportunities in green energy. New
New Steam to Green content this summer will include a display highlighting Newcastle Airport’s 90th anniversary.
North East Museums also won the Best Arts & Business Partnership Award in 2024’s North East Culture Awards for Discovery Museum’s Steam to Green exhibition partnerships.
Steam to Green was also made possible thanks to funding from Faraday Challenge, Reece Foundation, The Headley Trust, Friends of Discovery Museum, and the Art Fund.