Renewable energy needs to stay on curriculum for academies and free schools

The desire by more than 1,100 schools across England to become academies as well as the introduction of ‘free schools’ outside local authority control raises numerous questions. One is the impact opting out will have on the drive towards more energy efficient schools and the pressure trusts will face to use money elsewhere given the current climate of spending cuts and tightening school budgets.

However schools play a vital part in meeting the UK’s strict renewable energy targets. At the moment heat generated from renewable sources accounts for just 1% of total heat demand and this needs to rise significantly in order to achieve the EU’s binding target of 12% by 2020. Space heating counts for 47% of all energy and in a building like a school it is particularly important to retain the correct temperature.

Figures from the Sustainable Development Commission who have looked into the carbon emissions associated with the English Schools Estate shows that carbon emissions are currently estimated at 8.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year and greenhouse gases at 9.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. So there is no question that things need to change.

For Andrew Boroughs, Managing Director of Organic Energy, specialists in the supply of high quality wood pellet boiler systems it’s not so much whether these schools will need to adopt renewable heating systems; its how they go about it and what options they choose. Most importantly it’s how that choice can affect their budget.

Undoubtedly many schools looking to convert to academy status will be well aware of the government’s energy policy regarding schools and be working towards set goals.  The best place for advice is to continue working closely with the local authority who has built up a great deal of expertise and knowledge in this area and to consult organisations such as the Sustainable Schools and trade bodies like the REA.

In terms of free schools, specifically those looking for new build premises they will still be subject to current planning guidelines which demand a high level of environmental consideration when it comes to building new schools.

For academies and free schools looking to maximise and control their budgets, energy usage will be an important area and here renewable technologies like biomass boilers can play a significant role.

The future of the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme is uncertain, however if it goes ahead users in the public sector, not for profit or social enterprise could gain significantly.

It is proposed that the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) will provide financial support for those who purchase renewable heating equipment which qualifies under the scheme; this will include wood pellet boilers.  What’s more equipment installed after July 15th 2009 will be eligible for payments from the schemes introduction. Payments will be made for 15 years and are intended to provide a minimum of 12% return on the capital cost of the equipment.

Figures currently proposed are intended to give a 12% return over 15 years on the total capital invested in the boiler plant to individuals, organisations and companies.  It also seems that existing grants and interest free loans will be available at least until the official start of the scheme and with eligibility back dated to July 2009 this looks very attractive.

Andrew continues, “While Academy status does not automatically mean capital investment it is worth looking at a schools energy policy as part of any Academy conversion process.  He says “Technology such as automatic wood pellet boilers provide heating from a sustainable, primary fuel and significantly reduce overall CO2 emissions. They are automatically controlled, easily maintained and already common place in the rest of Europe.  Under the RHI, companies could see significant financial savings (even net gains) from their heating systems while actual fuel costs per annum could also be significantly reduced.”

It’s not only the cost though where biomass boilers could have a significant benefit for schools. 

The CO2 emission figures for wood pellets are certainly impressive, including the whole production process they produce 9g/kWh compared to electricity [495g] gas (212g), oil (295g), heat pumps (252g – 180g).

Why is burning wood better than fossil fuels? Both release CO2 into the atmosphere, the difference is that provided timber is managed as a sustainable crop then the carbon released from one generation of trees is reabsorbed by the next generation. This is a short cycle not adding to the total atmospheric CO2 . On the other hand carbon released from fossil fuels adds to the total atmospheric CO2 as it was captured millions of years ago when CO2 levels were much higher.

For schools the questions of supply and storage are important.  How much room will the pellets take up? What kind of conditions does the fuel need and is its supply secure?  In fact wood pellets are a clean, safe and non polluting fuel to handle and store, as with any fuel “quality is vital” says Organic Energy, consistency of product and reliability of supply ensures optimum performance and high levels of customer satisfaction.  Organic Energy is offering high grade fuel to its customers with deliveries made by purpose built delivery tankers.

Fuel consumption, timely refuelling, heating settings and ash collector levels can all be monitored or controlled remotely, ensuring the system works to its optimal performance day in day out. 

For academies renting space say in an old Victorian building the idea of a wood pellet boiler could seem attractive but may be dismissed due to a lack of internal space.  In fact this isn’t a problem with a product such as the ÖkoFEN EnergyBox. These packaged plant rooms are made from a sustainable timber laminated wall section, they contain both the boiler and fuel store and are delivered fully fitted ready for connect in a matter of hours.

Andrew concludes: “Wood pellet boilers provide all schools, including academies and free schools looking to maximise their budgets and fulfil environmental criteria with a real low carbon alternative to fossil fuels.

The last government committed to reducing carbon emissions but 60% by 2050 and The Sustainable Development Commission believes schools should be exceeding that target.  However at present emissions from schools are predicted to reduce by less than 20% over the same period. The message is clear for all schools not just academies or free schools climate change needs to be embraced and it needs to be embraced now if targets are to be met.

For further details please call Organic Energy on 01938 530 070 or 0845 458 4076