The document welcomes the reader to the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Machynlleth, Wales. It provides background on CAT's founder, Gerard Morgan-Grenville, and recalls his experience discovering the site in 1973. The document then outlines some of CAT's activities over time, including initial trials in micro-generation in the 1970s, becoming an oral history archive, and pioneering low-carbon building techniques. It notes CAT has over 30 spin-off enterprises and about 25,000 visitors annually. The document promotes CAT's graduate school and professional diploma programs in sustainability fields, highlighting testimonials from former students about the unique hands-on learning experience and career advantages it provided. It invites the reader
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Tom intro to CAT presentation
1. Welcome to theWelcome to the
Centre for Alternative TechnologyCentre for Alternative Technology
Kit Jones
Communications Officer
4. I recall clearly theI recall clearly the
autumn day in 1973 whenautumn day in 1973 when
I threaded my way upI threaded my way up
through the thickthrough the thick
rhododendrons fromrhododendrons from
what is now the car parkwhat is now the car park
to the level area whereto the level area where
the Centre forthe Centre for
Alternative TechnologyAlternative Technology
(or The Quarry as it is(or The Quarry as it is
popularly known) nowpopularly known) now
stands.stands.
Gerard Morgan-Grenville,Gerard Morgan-Grenville,
Founder of CAT.Founder of CAT.
21. Graduate School of theGraduate School of the
EnvironmentEnvironment
MSc Programmes:
Sustainability and Adaptation;
Sustainability & Adaptation Planning;
Sustainability & Adaption in the Built
Environment;
Renewable Energy & the Built Environment.
Professional Diploma in Architecture
(Part ll)
23. CAT graduates unique advantagesCAT graduates unique advantages
Highly employable. Work whilst
studying;
Immersive week-long modules on-site,
inspirational, fertile, creative;
On-site & off-site (distance) learning,
flexibly in sustainability programmes;
On-line tutor support throughout;
Transferable skills development;
Independent research opportunities.
29. Whats different?Whats different?
Focus on sustainability
Practical, hands on projects
18 month course, taught in intensive,
monthly, on site modules
30. Nick, MSc Renewable
Energy and the Built
Environment Research
project on a novel solar
thermal irrigation pump in
the Rift Valley of East
Africa. My thesis
recommendations fed into
the R&D. I have since set
up Futurepump to install
new pumps in Kenya
I can totally recommend the courseI can totally recommend the course
31. Study flexiblyStudy flexibly
Anna, Prof Dip (Part 2) in
Sustainable Architecture -
Studied post-
occupancy evaluation of
buildings. Worked as a
Senior Architect and
Sustainability
Consultant for
HawkinsBrown (arch)
whilst studying for the
Masters.
I studied while
working part
time and looking
after a toddler
32. exhilarating from the startexhilarating from the start
Rufus, MSc in Architecture, Advanced Environmental and
Energy Studies Research & Development Manager
for Scottish and Southern Energy. Sits on the
board of Scottish Renewables. Chairs the Scottish
Renewable Heat Working Group.
For me the course is really
categorised by the inspiring
setting and the people I met
whilst studying
helped me to
focus my ideas
and gain a good
understanding
33. Howard, MSc sustainable architecture - Set up
an architecture practice after graduating
in 2014. Also lectures at the University of
Liverpool.
I genuinely felt I was part ofI genuinely felt I was part of
something specialsomething special
[Design] Need new logo, have requested on from Julie
1973 site found, 1974 started operating (people lived here, energy generated) an 1975 opened to public
6 weeks after we launched the first ZCB report, the LibDems launched this, inspired by our MP Lembit Opik who took our report to them
Oral hispty project- 80 interviewss
[Design] Need new logo, have requested on from Julie
But if we only talk in terms of fear, chaos, collapse and devestation, we arent going to equip people to build a positive future
CAT's zerocarbonbritain 2030 team presented the new zerocarbonbritain2030 report on 16th June 2010 to a select media audience. The panel included Andrew Simms (NEF), Eugiene harvey (10:10), Peter Harper and Paul Allen (CAT).
Louise Halestrap
Prof Brian Moss
Pete North- transition towns and local currencies
Elizabeth Shove Lancaster Uni, prof, transformational adaptations
Bill Bordass- architecture, post-occupancy evaluation (how thye perform in use)
In October 2009, I sat down to write my first assignment as a new student on the REBE course at CAT. For this first essay, I asked the question: Can renewable energy turbocharge international development and poverty reduction?. This became the theme that thread its way through the rest of the year, influencing lines of enquiries and choice of research topics for monthly assignments. My interest: systems that are small-scale, suited to remote communities, affordable, easy to operate and maintain. For my thesis I traveled to Ethiopia where I worked for three months among farmers in the Central Rift Valley assessing a new type of solar thermal irrigation pump called a Sunflower. During this time I collected mechanical and climatic measurements, farmer feedback and socio-economic context data which together allowed me to assess the viability of future commercialization of the equipment. The recommendations from my thesis fed back into the R&D process allowing improvements in performance and ergonomics, as well as informing future marketing and financing strategies. Since finishing at CAT, I have continued working with Practica Foundation contributing to the ongoing development of the Sunflower pump. Recently I have helped set up a new entity called Futurepump, which has secured almost $1million to assist with commercialisation in Kenya. In October at the beginning of the latest growing season, I kicked off the field element of this work by installing a number of improved pumps, checked performance using locally procured collector dishes and demonstrated the technology to interested farmers. Alongside my work with Futurepump, I work with appropriate technology NGO IDE, among other things setting up field laboratories to test emerging technologies that look promising for their particular customer group.
I was studying at the same time as working part time and looking after a toddler, so finding the time to study was frequently quite a challenge. However, the highly interesting course content and my passion for the subject kept me going! have really enjoyed working as a Senior Architect and Sustainability Consultant for Hawkins\Brown LLP whilst studying for the masters. Im expecting my second child in a couple of weeks and expect that that shall keep me busy for a bit. However, I shall continue to stay informed with current thinking in the world of sustainable architecture and will continue to offer advice / consult on sustainable design going forwards
In his current role as R&D Manager for Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), Rufus is responsible for coordinating R&D activity across the SSE group. Prior to this, Rufus was responsible for demand-side policy development with a particular interest in energy efficiency and renewable heat. He sits on the board of Scottish Renewables and chairs the Scottish Renewables Heat Working Group.
Rufus has a degree in physics and a Masters degree in Architecture: Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies from the Centre for Alternative Technology / University of East London. His MSc thesis considered whether the waste hierarchy was still appropriate in the light of the development of advanced thermal treatment of wastes.
During and after completing his MSc in 2006 Rufus has worked in waste education for an environmental charity and managed a consultancy team in a small not for profit company carrying out work such as renewables feasibility studies and climate change strategies for local authorities, before joining SSE.
Experience at CAT
Rufus writes about his experience at CAT:
I signed up for the AEES course at CAT having been travelling after my undergraduate degree. I was looking for a good use for a mathematical physics degree and had an interest in renewable energy and sustainability, which needed a focus. I had visited CAT as a child and stayed on a farm in South India powered by an off-grid PV system and owned by a man who had also been inspired by CAT having visited there in the 1970s.
The course really helped me to focus my ideas and gain a good understanding of the issues from the diverse range of lectures. However for me the course is really categorised by the inspiring setting and the people I met whilst studying, many of whom I have remained friends with and worked with professionally over the years.
It was great to return recently and to see the completed WISE buildings for the first time. These are first class facilities in a unique and special place. It was also good to hear about the exciting work going on such as Zero Carbon Britain which is helping to shape the critical energy policy debate.
Howard Miller AEES, PT teaching at Liv uni and set-up a practise: H Miller Bros, in April 2014 to create a summer events venue that could be designed and built in under three months.
Taking inspiration from both the name of the site and the gabled rooflines of the surrounding Victorian warehouses, the designers developed a triangle motif that formed the basis of the structure and its components.