Changes

After 25 years in corporate IT, I’ve decided to take a year off to do an MSc in Renewable Energy.  On here, I’ll be blogging about renewables, being a student and trying to start a new career.

The course is at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth, Wales.  An old slate quarry has been turned into a research and education centre for all sorts of low-impact technologies – energy, waste, water, buildings.  Power comes from wind turbines on the hills, solar panels on the roofs and hydro-turbines drawing from the enormous amount of water which cascades down the slate hillsides.  The buildings are well-insulated and make use of experimental techniques – our lectures are held in a theater built of straw bales.  It’s a beautiful, tranquil place full of trees, water and interesting people.  Sometimes, a little too much water.

Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, September 2009

I’m up there once a month for an intensive week of lectures and practicals, then spend the rest of the time back home in London trying to figure out what I just learned, and writing essays and technical reports.