Traditional wind farms could become a thing of the past thanks to Somervale School students who are helping to develop the ultimate in natural energy production that is set to radically change the future of commercial wind farms.
Their novel design is for a wind and solar-powered generator that will be far more effective than the wind farms currently available. Led by their physics teacher Dr Wren Thatcher, inventor of the ‘Windstore’, the pupils have placed a prototype on the roof of Somervale. The plan is that this will power the transmitter of the school’s community radio, due to start broadcasting next year.
Considerable interest has already been shown in the Windstore with the power company EDF contributing £5,000 towards its production and Rolls Royce awarding it a science prize.
Sponsorship has also been received from Volvo, Rolls Royce and the Royal Society.
Work on the Windstore project is being carried out by pupils as part of their studies across the curriculum. AS Level physics and engineering students will use it as a science project, the school’s media department will publicise it and the geography department will gather relevant data.
