Two students from Lowestoft and Norwich, Farron Shilling and Jack Carthew, gained valuable insight into the offshore wind industry through a month-long internship with Vattenfall, the developer of the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone. The interns had the opportunity to meet the team behind Vattenfall’s innovative Hydrogen Turbine 1, and they explored the potential of green hydrogen as the future of energy. With the guidance of Vattenfall’s community liaison officer, Will Sealey, the interns visited various sites and facilities, including Peel Ports in Great Yarmouth, where Vattenfall plans to establish its operations and maintenance base. They also toured the Grampian Explorer, a vessel serving the offshore wind industry, and visited the Necton site where infrastructure for the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone will be constructed.
The Coastal Energy Internship Programme, delivered in collaboration with the Ogden Trust, provided Farron and Jack with a unique learning experience based at the University of East Anglia’s Enterprise Centre. Farron, an 18-year-old T-level student at East Coast College, plans to pursue a degree apprenticeship in renewable energy after completing his T levels next summer. He believes that the energy industry offers long-term career prospects, as local projects transition from construction and installation to operations and maintenance. Jack, a 17-year-old T-level engineering student at University Technical College Norfolk, emphasized the importance of government support and public education to promote the adoption of hydrogen as an energy source.
Will Sealey, Vattenfall’s community liaison officer, praised Farron and Jack for their access to industry professionals and exposure to game-changing technologies in the energy sector. The interns’ findings, which were presented at the end of their internship, highlighted hydrogen as the future of energy but stressed the need for government backing and public education to convince people of its potential. Through their internship, Farron and Jack gained a comprehensive understanding of the offshore wind industry and its potential for sustainable energy production. Their experience serves as a testament to the value of hands-on learning opportunities that bridge the gap between academia and industry.
