EUREL Field Trip 2024 to Spain

EUREL Field Trip 2024 - Summary by our YEP-Representative Lara Sanz Serrano from Spain. 

The 2024 EUREL Field Trip took place in Madrid, Spain from July 16-19. It was hosted by the General Council of Official Chambers of Industrial Engineers and the Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros Industriales de Madrid (COIIM). For four days, the young participants were able to visit different institutions and companies related to electrical engineering and explore the city of Madrid.

On the first day we had the presentation of the event at the modern headquarters of COIIM. In the evening, we enjoyed a snack on the rooftop and got to know each other.

The next day we travelled to Ávila to visit a wind farm. Surrounded by a beautiful mountain landscape, we were able to learn about the operation of the wind farm, managed by Endesa, and we were even able to enter one of the wind turbines. In the afternoon, we toured the center of Madrid. We learned about the city's history and customs through a route of century-old taverns, where we were able to taste the specialties of some of them.

The following day we visited the Central Laboratory of Electrical Engineering (LCOE) in TecnoGetafe. The professionals who work there showed us the high and medium voltage, photometry, energy efficiency, EMC and refrigeration laboratories. Then we went to Red Eléctrica, where we visited the control center and learned about the Spanish electricity system. In the afternoon, we took a pleasant, guided tour of the Retiro Park.

On the last day, the visit combined technology and culture: we visited the Pacífico engine shed of Metro de Madrid. It was built in 1922 and served until 1972. We also visited the old station lobby, which still looks as it did when it was built in 1923.

The trip ended as it began, at the COIIM headquarters where we said goodbye to our new friends. It has been a wonderful four days of learning, discovering Madrid and making friends. See you soon!