Funds help school create its own energy: Pupils' powerful project

Moyne Gazette
Thursday 7/2/2008 Page: 3

A WIND turbine and solar panels installed at Port Fairy Consolidated School were fantastic ways to make the whole community aware of the benefits of renewable energy, school principal Lindy Sharp said. The wind turbine and solar panels generate electricity to help power the school buildings. Moyne environment and sustainability coordinator Keith Davis said the new turbine and other environmental initiatives were actively lowering the school's greenhouse gas emissions while saving energy.

Moyne Shire Council has worked in partnership with the school, helping it obtain a $55,000 grant from the Federal Government through the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Extra funding for the renewable energy project came from the Victorian Education Department, Pacific Hydro Limited and the school itself. The project was one of only 22 across Australia funded under the Government's Low Emissions Technology and Abatement program.

"This Australian Government program helps local governments, businesses, not-for-profit organisations and schools implement greenhouse gas emission reduction actions in their local communities," Mr Davis said. "This project provides school students with the opportunity to experience first-hand the benefits of renewable energy systems through the school networked monitoring equipment. "The project will share these learning benefits with other schools through specially developed curriculum materials that will be accessible on the school's website." Mr Davis said when the school buildings were not in use - such as school holidays and weekends - the surplus energy created was sold back to the electricity grid.

Visitors to the school will be able to see a large-screen display in the school's library showing the day-to-day system performance, energy and greenhouse gas emissions savings. Pupils will be able to monitor the energy savings and calculate emission reductions and learn how that relates to issues such as changing climate and weather patterns, energy use and environmental sustainability.

Consolidated school science teacher Tracey Gray said during 2007 the year four, five and six pupils studied global warming, carbon cycles, sustainability principles, energy footprints and food transport miles, and developed an energy saving plan for the classroom. "This year prep to grade six studies will include learning about solar and wind-powered energy systems," she said. An open day for the project will be held later in the year.