Museum of Science and Industry

Developed in the early 90s, MOSI's Electricity and Gas galleries play an important and exciting role in telling the story of the North West's energy history and its impact on the wider world. The energy sector is an incredibly fast moving area, both in terms of development of new technology and wider issues of energy generation and consumption. This has resulted in galleries filled with fantastic collections but which are exceedingly out of date. MOSI recognises the need to offer an unbiased overview of the options currently available, the impact we're all making and changes that will affect us all.

During MOSI's recent redevelopment project (completed in January 2011), a brand new introductory gallery Revolution Manchester was created, encompassing a taste of each element of the Museum, including Energy. This Energy section embraces everything a modern gallery aspires to - a strong story line, historic, current and future collections items, dynamic interpretation and high-tech interactives which encourage direct participation and social interaction. It also alludes to the older galleries as a way to experience a fuller energy picture - and this is the reason that it is imperative to bring the story into the 21^st century.

On 6 April 2011, MOSI invited representatives from the Energy sector to take part in a very different approach to gallery development - consulting those with the expertise at the very start of the project and asking them what they consider the most important factors to include. A workshop session uncovered a wide and varied array of ideas (which can be found in the documents on the right), establishing patterns in the stories the Industry would like to share.

We hope to continue engaging with a 'Industry Working Group' over the coming year to establish a way forward in the development of this integral gallery, hopefully working towards at feasibility study at the end of 2011. Thank you to all currently involved; please continue sending your ideas to energy@mosi.org.uk and follow our dedicated energy Blog.  For anyone interested in becoming involved, please contact Julie Platt on 0161 606 0180 or email j.platt@mosi.org.uk