School News
Biomass heating feasibility study at Wellfield High school – leading the way for sustainable energy
The Environmental Policy Team at Lancashire County Council recently instructed the consultants at the Centre for Sustainable Energy to investigate the feasibility of installing wood fuel boilers at Wellfield High school. The school currently has an aging coal fired boiler system, which is due to be replaced. The study was carried out to provide a full assessment of the environmental and financial merits of installing a combined biomass/gas boiler system as apposed to all gas fired boilers.
Much of a schools energy use is used for space and water heating. Biomass heating can provide this heat energy whilst being carbon neutral. Elizabeth Bruce of CLAREN says that “wood, that is sustainably produced, is a renewable source of fuel that can replace the use of fossil fuels meaning that the amount of Co2 being emitted, a damaging greenhouse gas can be significantly reduced. Well designed, modern wood burning heating systems provide cost effective and environmentally sound warmth from locally produced fuel”
The feasibility study found that there would be significant financial and environmental benefits to installing a wood fuel system. Despite high capital costs for the boiler installation the availability of a number of Government grants make the project financially viable. Up to 50% of the capital costs will be eligible for grant funding resulting in a short payback period. There is also significant potential savings on annual fuel and running costs. The option being recommended in this report has an estimated annual running cost of about £5,849, compared to an estimated £9, 365 for the all gas option, and payback period of 2 years (with grant assistance). 105 tonnes of Co2, a damaging greenhouse gas would be saved per year compared with an all gas option (323 tonnes less that the current coal fired system).
Discussions are currently being held with the Lancashire County Council Education and Social Services and a report will short be going to the County Council cabinet to decide the way forward on the installation. Please watch this space for the latest updates
For more details on biomass heating or other forms of renewable energy that your schools cold utilise to help the environment and save money please contact Elizabeth Bruce of CLAREN on 0845 601 8874
Energy Education Research Published
A new summary document has just been published about the impact of CSE's flagship education programme, Energy Matters.
'Energy Education Hitting Home: A Summary of the Evaluation Report into the Impact of the Energy Matters Programme' (12pp) gives an overview of the evaluation undertaken by independent researchers New Perspectives and CSE's own education team into the role the resources played in bringing about energy-saving behaviour.
It proves that pupils taking part in the programme have been encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and make decisions to reduce energy use both at home and at school. It includes feedback from pupils, teachers, parents and governors about their experiences of using the resources and the energy-saving steps they took as a result.
Download the summary and full report at www.cse.org.uk/csepublications*
( * External link see terms)