UK school to be heated with biomass

A UK school plans to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels by installing a £60,000 biomass boiler powered by burning wood pellets.

Gulworthy Primary School near Tavistock, Devon, has received grants from the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, EDF Energy, and the Co-operative Group to fund the microgeneration system.

A monitor on the boiler will show pupils at the school how much energy is being produced, and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions saved.

“This biomass boiler will make our school more sustainable so that we can set an example to the wider community and create an impressive resource for educating pupils about renewable energy,” said headteacher Melody Nicholls.

The school is one of more than 180 in the UK to get a grant from the Co-operative’s Green Energy for Schools scheme.

In 2007, the Co-operative invested £1 million to install solar panels at over 100 UK schools.

As a second phase of the scheme, the group has set aside an additional £1 million to help 80 schools install solar panels, biomass boilers, ground source heat pumps, and wind turbines.

“Installing this biomass boiler at Gulworthy Primary School is a great way to capture the attention of children, staff, and parents on the issue of climate change,” said Sarah Klueter, the Co-operative’s senior community manager.

“As well as providing renewable heat and hot water that will reduce the school’s carbon dioxide emissions, we hope the biomass boiler will inspire the next generation to live more sustainable lifestyles.”