Iberdrola España Grants Access to CIFP Tecnológico Industrial de León to One of its Hydroelectric Units from La Gotera Power Plant
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For educational purposes, technology transfer and the universalisation of energy services
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This hydroelectric facility has been part of Iberdrola España's history in León
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In this way, the Company supports the maintenance of historical artifacts as, in this case, it is linked to the industrial and business beginnings of the province
Iberdrola España granted access to CIFP Tecnológico Industrial de León (Integrated Vocational Training Centre) to one of its hydroelectric units – turbine + generator – from La Gotera hydroelectric power plant for teaching purposes.
By supporting education, technology transfer and the universalisation of energy services, the Company also supports the maintenance of historical artifacts as, in this case, it is linked to the industrial and business beginnings of the province.
This hydroelectric facility, which has been part of Iberdrola España's history in León, located in the municipality of Pola de Gordón, in the town of La Vid on the river Bernesga, has discharged its waters into the Duero basin. It was built in the second decade of the 20th century with capital from the León Industrial Company.
Thanks to the drive and effort of the CIFP teacher Jorge Javier Baile and Iberdrola España units – Generación Hidráulica/Generación Norte and UTS León –, with Antonio Martín Morencia and Gregorio Grande at the head, today it is a reality that this interesting team is in the centre to contribute to a better training of the Power Plants and Renewable Energies Higher VET students.
Training and talent development
As part of its commitment to the territories in which it operates, Iberdrola España supports training and knowledge transmission that contributes to promoting a generation of professionals with the highest capacities to face the challenges of the future, including the development of a sustainable energy model.
The CIFP Tecnológico Industrial (Technological and Industrial Integrated Vocational Training Centre) comes from the former Instituto de Maestría Industrial in León, now known as FPI and FPII, located in C/ La Torre, where mechanical and electrical specialities were taught, including Electricity, Power Plants and Lines. Many of the power plant operators in the province and the community were trained in these classrooms, thus linking the past and present of the profession through this fundamental piece of differentiated training.
Hydropower facilities contribute to renewable and economic development
Iberdrola España's three main reservoirs located in the Tera basin– Cernadilla, Nuestra Señora del Agavanzal and Valparaíso – have a combined storage capacity of over 453 hm³, a combined installed capacity of more than 120 MW and provide clean, renewable energy to over 86,000 families. The full operation of these hydroelectric facilities maintains local jobs, promotes sustainable generation in the province of Zamora and boosts economic development.
Last year, Iberdrola España put into full operation one of the reversible units’ pumping capacity at the Valparaíso hydroelectric plant in Zamora thanks to the outstanding work of its team. The Company's technical expertise managed to add 30 megawatts (MW) to the pumped storage capacity in Spain – so necessary for the optimal management of renewable production.
Efficient management of water resources has become essential for the health of the planet. Iberdrola España strives to make rational and sustainable use of water and to address the risks related to its scarcity. To achieve this, the Company seeks the most appropriate method to prevent impacts and implements various measures to achieve a more sustainable use of water.
Pumped hydro technology is currently the most efficient system for large-scale energy storage. It is more cost-effective and brings stability, security and sustainability to the electricity system by generating large amounts of energy with a very fast response time and without any emissions.