Learning about Green Energy…. HydroElectric Pionners (Norwegian style)
Following on from our recent ‘Green Energy‘ project in the UK, we were very keen to see just how Norway pioneered the use of Hydro-ElectricPower (HEP) at the Norwegian Museum of HydroPower & Industry …After seeing so many waterfalls during our visit, it was clear the natural resources were obviously in place. However, this wasn’t our first taste of HEP, as both girls are lucky to have farming friends in Mid Wales with their own commercial HEP project next to a wonderful campsite – Tyllwyd Farm (worth a visit!)
The museum at Tyssedal required a 2hr journey from Eidfjord across possibly one of the most beautiful roads we have travelled so far…. a single track road at times that hugged the side of the fjord giving scenic views over the apple growing valley side and the snow capped mountains that sit either side of the Hardangerfjord.
Close to Trolltunga viewpoint, the Blue Glacier at Folgefonna – you could easily come for 3-4 days!
Both girls love their ‘Family Adventures‘, but this trip is about educating them whilst appreciating other countries cultures. Fitting perfectly into the KS2&3 syllabus, it will feature in our new ‘Educational Explorers‘ page as part of the places we have visited so far in Europe (25 countries and counting!)
As we watched a school group climbing (with ropes/harnesses) to the top of the hill between the pipes (a guided journey for local schools) – both girls were excited to see the three part museum – (i) Exhibition (30mins) (ii) Film about HEP in Norway (iii) The old HEP facility.
With over 18,000 visitors a year, its well organised and efficient… set in the most idyllic of settings it was restored after closing in 1989.
HEP still flourishes here, but now in a new plant inside the mountain taking advantage of the 50,000 litres per second of water that flows through the 400m piped descent. A great visual site and even better for the ‘Do it Yourself‘ mini HEP that allows students to physically build a 50m HEP scheme to power a lightbulb… a great example of Science in Action!
Started in 1906 (at a meeting in Paris), Sam Eide realised his dream to create a HEP scheme to bring wealth to what was a comparatively poor country of farmers at this time. Aiming to provide power for the Carbide factory in Odda. (Carbide was apparently used to power acetylene lights for UK miners) it grew this region which ended up producing 10% of Norway’s total power. The museum takes you through each stage of its development carefully before allowing you to view the wonderful Power Plant itself… a genuinely beautiful building that must have been the envy of industrialists at the time.
Did both girls appreciate this? Absolutely 100%, but we needed to relate it to the dynamo numerous times – especially when breaking down the use of coils to create magnetic electricity which could then be transformed into power for the population.
Is it worth a detour? If only to marvel in the beautiful surroundings, you’d be wise to add it to your list if you were in this area.
Is it worth a detour? If only to marvel in the beautiful surroundings, you’d be wise to add it to your list if you were in this area.
Norwegian Museum of HydroPower & Industry
so where did we park the bus for the night?
Our Newsletter
