Students from Zamora bring Iberdrola España’s City of the Future to life

Iberdrola España, the Rei Afonso Henriques Foundation and the Regional Government of Castile and León are launching the new educational programme “The Energy Challenge of the Future”, aimed at 10 schools in the province and more than 300 pupils from Zamora.
An interactive workshop shows young people how renewable energies — solar, wind and hydro — can power a 100% clean and self-sufficient city.

#Renewable energy

A group of 12 students posing in front of a green banner with the text "Cambiemos el Futuro" (Change the Future). They are standing and sitting, 7 boys and 5 girls, dressed in casual clothing. On the left, there is a poster with icons of renewable energy, and on the right, there is a sign with the text "The European Green Deal."

The initiative is aimed at more than 300 students in the province of Zamora.

Iberdrola España, the Rei Afonso Henriques Foundation (FRAH) and the Regional Government of Castile and León have launched “The Challenge of Future Energy”, an educational initiative aimed at more than 300 students in the province that seeks to explain, in a practical and engaging way, the role of renewable energies —and hydroelectric power in particular— in security of supply and in building a sustainable energy model.

The programme kicks off with the participation of the San Vicente de Paúl Centre in Benavente and will reach 10 schools in Zamora —five in the capital and five across the province— where pupils will discover how renewable technologies can power a city that is 100% emission-free.

A model to understand the energy we use today… and the energy we will need tomorrow

The workshop is structured around an interactive model that allows pupils to understand, in a visual and straightforward way, how the current energy system works and what role each technology plays. Students explore the contribution of hydroelectric power, which is crucial in critical situations such as restoring the electricity supply during the ‘energy blackout’.

Thanks to this educational tool, young people understand how energy is produced, managed and stored in a system based on renewables, and why Spain’s energy mix is essential for strengthening energy self-sufficiency, the resilience of the region and long-term sustainable development.

A team challenge to light up the City of the Future

The activity continues with a collaborative challenge: lighting up an entire city through tests, puzzles and riddles, by becoming energy-generating plants — solar, wind and hydro — that must coordinate to achieve a 100% renewable city. This activity fosters critical thinking, teamwork and an understanding of the role of storage, digitalisation and smart grids.

Inspiring careers and opening doors to green professions

“This new educational initiative aims to inspire students by conveying a positive and motivating message that sparks an interest in engineering careers, with a particular focus on the participation of girls and young women, so that they see themselves as future professionals in the energy and technology sectors,” said José Luis González Prada, director of the Rei Afonso Henriques Foundation.

For his part, Miguel Calvo, Iberdrola Spain’s representative in Castile and León, highlighted that “we are in the future: Iberdrola España has transformed the energy system and now the city can only be powered by clean sources. To achieve this, we need engineers capable of activating all renewable energy facilities. Each group of students will become a power plant and, if they overcome all the challenges, the City of the Future will be lit 100% by renewables.”

The regional representative of the Regional Government, Fernando Prada, noted that “raising awareness and promoting environmental learning among young people through initiatives of this kind is essential so that students and the next generation of professionals can face the future with preparation and social commitment”.

A shared commitment to Zamora, its young people and its sustainable development

This workshop forms part of the educational and recreational tools developed within the framework of the “Change is in your hands” project, promoted by the organisations since 2022 to move towards a greener energy model and promote responsible consumption habits that contribute to decarbonisation.

“The Challenge of the Energy of the Future” builds on the work that Iberdrola, the Regional Government of Castile and León and the FRAH have been carrying out for years to inspire careers in green professions, promote environmental education and introduce young people to the opportunities offered by the energy transition.

Through initiatives such as this, the three institutions are reinforcing their commitment to training, educational innovation and talent development in Castile and León, which is key to successfully tackling the challenges of the energy of the future and building a sustainable economic model for future generations.

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