Powering the Future of Clean Energy Skills
Project Overview
The Clean Energy Hub at Redcar & Cleveland College is a fully integrated training environment designed to bridge the gap between education and industry in the rapidly evolving renewable energy sector. Developed in collaboration with Redcar & Cleveland College and supported by BP, the hub combines multiple advanced training systems into a single cohesive learning platform. At its core are DarbyTech’s Balance of Plant Operation & Maintenance Trainer (OMPT), Carbon Capture Demonstrator, and Green Hydrogen Demonstrator—each replicating real-world industrial processes—alongside a digital E-learning Hub and VR integration. Together, these elements create a blended learning experience in which students can move seamlessly among hands-on operation, theoretical understanding, and immersive digital exploration.
The Clean Energy Hub at Redcar & Cleveland College is a fully integrated training environment designed to bridge the gap between education and industry in the rapidly evolving renewable energy sector. Developed in collaboration with Redcar & Cleveland College and supported by BP, the hub combines multiple advanced training systems into a single cohesive learning platform. At its core are DarbyTech’s Balance of Plant Operation & Maintenance Trainer (OMPT), Carbon Capture Demonstrator, and Green Hydrogen Demonstrator—each replicating real-world industrial processes—alongside a digital E-learning Hub and VR integration. Together, these elements create a blended learning experience in which students can move seamlessly among hands-on operation, theoretical understanding, and immersive digital exploration.
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The Challenge
The primary challenge was to create a future-ready training facility capable of equipping students with practical, industry-relevant skills in clean energy technologies—without the risks, costs, or scale limitations of live industrial environments. The college required a solution that could accurately simulate complex processes such as carbon capture and hydrogen production, while remaining safe, accessible, and adaptable for a wide range of learners, from school leavers to commercial trainees. In addition, there was a growing need to integrate digital learning tools and immersive technologies to reflect modern training standards and maximise engagement across different learning styles. |
“Equipping the next generation with real-world clean energy skills through hands-on, industry-led training.”
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The Outcome
DarbyTech delivered a tailored, multi-technology solution that combined physical process equipment with advanced digital learning tools to create a truly modern training ecosystem. By installing industrially representative systems such as the OMPT, Carbon Capture Demonstrator, and Green Hydrogen Demonstrator, students are able to gain direct, hands-on experience with the same principles and equipment found in real-world energy facilities. This is further enhanced by an integrated E-learning Hub, providing instant access to technical resources via QR codes, and a VR model of the carbon capture process, allowing users to visualise and interact with system operations in an immersive environment. The result is a scalable, engaging, and industry-aligned platform that prepares learners with the knowledge and practical skills required to succeed in the clean energy sector. |
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