Climb inside an onshore wind turbine with a new virtual reality film

  • A new VR film is enabling people to step into the shoes of a turbine technician.
  • Viewers can climb up the inside of a turbine and take in the view from the top.
  • They can also learn about how the wind farm generates renewable electricity.

Energy company, Vattenfall, has produced a new virtual reality film which gives exclusive access to Ray Wind Farm in Northumberland. The film enables people to step into the shoes of a turbine technician and look around the site and see first-hand what a turbine looks like on the inside.

Using a virtual reality headset, anyone can access the film via Vattenfall’s YouTube channel and experience the sights and sounds of Ray Wind Farm from the comfort of their armchair. 

Vattenfall has also collaborated with Discovery Museum in Newcastle, where people visiting the venue will be able to view the film as part of the Steam to Green exhibition, which explores the story of energy in the North East, by looking back to the industrial revolution, and forward to the pioneering contributions in renewable energy technologies happening now across the North East region.

Matt Bacon, Senior Project Manager at Vattenfall said: 

“Vattenfall is a key part of the North East’s energy transition with our office in Hexham, which employs nearly 100 people, and Ray Wind Farm just up the road meeting around 10% of Northumberland’s electricity needs every year.

“We are regularly asked about what the inside of a turbine looks like. With this VR film people can fully immerse themselves into the experience of climbing to the top of a turbine just by visiting Vattenfall’s YouTube channel. For those who don’t have a virtual reality headset, the film will also be available to view at special events running as part of the Steam to Green exhibition at Discovery Museum, which is running until September 2026.” 

Kylea Little, Keeper of History at Discovery Museum and curator of Steam to Green: A North East Energy Revolution said:

“We're very grateful to Vattenfall, the Steam to Green programme’s headline sponsor, for offering our visitors this rare opportunity to take part in an immersive wind turbine experience. 

“When we developed the Steam to Green exhibition and event programme one of our main aims was to share information about green energy and showcase the different career pathways available for young people to consider. Hopefully we’ll inspire some future technicians!”

 

Find out about the Steam to Green exhibition at the Discovery Museum here.

Find out more information about Ray Wind Farm here.

 

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