st columb minor school goes green
St Columb Minor School has become the model school for energy efficiency and renewable energy by installing a wind turbine, solar PV and solar thermal panels.
St Columb Minor School has become the model school for energy efficiency and renewable energy by installing a wind turbine, solar PV and solar thermal panels. Committed to the environment the school installed a Proven Energy 6kW wind turbine as part of the Eco-Schools programme.
St Columb Minor School secured fifty per cent grant funding through British Gas, framework supplier under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) Phase 2. This grant funding is available to all public sector buildings including schools.
Gill Harper, School BusinessManager for St Columb Minor School said "Our wind turbine is just one of our visual statements that provides evidence to support our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint. The installation of our turbine was part of our school's Sustainability Action Plan which included the development of energy saving measures and the reduction of carbon emissions."
The Proven 11 wind turbine has the potential to produce 10,000kWh per year and would reduce the school’s CO2 emissions by 4,300kg per year. With all of the renewable energy sources together the school is saving approx 15% on energy costs.
The school invested in a display panel which is positioned in the main entrance. This shows the electricity generated since the wind turbine installation, electricity being generated at the present time and CO2 savings. The wind turbine and display will act as an educational resource in renewable energy for the staff, pupils, parents, visitors and St Columb Minor community.
Richard Caldow, Operations Manager for Proven Energy said “Proven has always believed that by promoting renewable energy in learning facilities we can help model the thinking of the next generation. Through the Phase 2 funding programme the government is helping to support this.”
The installation was carried out by Dan Ledger from Capture Energy, an installer for Aeolus Power (reseller of Proven Energy wind turbines).
Besides generating electricity and reducing the school's energy bills, the turbine also provides funding for the school in the form of ROC's, which are being paid double from 1st April.
Later this month will see St Columb School hold a renewable energy event to promote the development of renewable energy systems within the school.
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