Young people in Newcastle are set to explore green energy solutions ahead of 500-person academic conference on battery energy storage in the city.
Taking place from 10-12 September 2024 at Newcastle University, the Faraday Institution Conference will convene the community of academics, researchers, organisations, policy makers and funders around energy storage.
The Faraday Institution is the UK’s independent institute for electrochemical energy storage research, skills development, market analysis, and early-stage commercialisation.
The three-day conference will focus on the latest battery storage research from around the world and raise the visibility of UK scientific excellence in energy storage against the backdrop of Newcastle and the North East of England’s drive towards net zero emissions through vehicle and battery manufacturing, research and electrification.
Organisers have committed to raising awareness of the industry and career aspirations of young people in the region by working with education providers in the city.
As part of the programme of activity, Discovery Museum in Newcastle, Newcastle University and the Faraday Institution are partnering with a local secondary school to host a day of workshops and exhibitions for more than 100 children aged 11-14 and explore green energy solutions including wind energy, hydrocars and more.
Matt Howard, Chief Strategy Officer, Faraday Institution, said:
“Colin Herron and Lois Warne at the Faraday Institution North East office at Newcastle University are doing a fantastic job in facilitating collaboration, and devising strategies for partner organisations and the region to harness the strengths of the North East in battery research, innovation, skills and production. Over the coming years there is will be a significant growth in green jobs in the region and initiatives like this are so important in helping to develop knowledge of and aspirations to join the sector from young people in the region as we collectively build a diverse and dynamic pool of talent.”
Professor Colin Herron CBE – Newcastle University, said;
“This exhibition showcases not only the future for our region, and the UK, in terms of energy transition but the opportunities for people in the region to be part of it. There is a special focus on children as they will be living with and creating the new energy future. We at Newcastle University place the subject of electrification as a strategic priority not for the next few years but for many years. This exhibition is just the start of many activities.”
Caroline Reed, Senior Manager – Business Events at NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau, part of NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI), said:
“It has been fantastic to support Newcastle University and the Faraday Institution in bringing their 2024 conference to the city. We have real strengths in the energy sector, home to the National Centre for Energy Systems Integration, Nissan who are set to build a battery plant in Sunderland and innovations coming out of the world-leading, research-intensive universities.
“The Outreach Programme is a brilliant initiative that the organisers are offering to young people in the city showcasing some of the exciting opportunities and innovations in the energy sector. More and more we are seeing that event organisers are dedicating time and effort to creating a positive social impact which goes beyond the few days they are in a city, and this programme is a great example of how organisers can have an impact on the aspirations and opportunities of young people.”
Visit The Discovery Museum’s two-year Steam to Green exhibition which opened on 20 July. Explore the story of energy in the North East that highlights the region’s pioneering contributions in green technologies.