JCB Academy

Providing JCB Academy With Engineering for LV Switchboards and Control Panels

AF Switchgear worked on the JCB Academy project, which was undertaken in partnership with a long-standing client called Imtech.

To promote UK engineering and education, JCB decided to sponsor an academy opening its doors to Year 10, 11 and 12 students, accommodating up to 540 people. For the project, AF Switchgear manufactured the LV switchboards and control panel.

The control panel was designed to run a modern version of one of the world’s oldest engineering wonders: an Archimedes Screw.

The device, which was shaped like a giant corkscrew, was used to create a fully functional water turbine. Weighing in at 13.3 tonnes, the screw generated up to 85% of the centre’s electricity, saving up to 64 tonnes of CO² compared to using mains electricity.

Approx. 50% of the water is derived from the River Dove, which runs through the site, with the weight of the water forcing the screw to rotate, generating electricity to act as an asynchronous generator. This in turn, powers the local site load and can export to the grid when needed.

Situated adjacent to JCB’s headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire, the academy is part housed in the Grade II listed Tutbury Mill, with a new annexe housing the main classrooms. Built in 1871 by Industrial Revolution entrepreneur Richard Arkwright, renovation of the picturesque site began in December 2009.

In addition to the main LV switchboards and control panel, AF Switchgear were called in to provide specialist engineering assistance.