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The Carbon Trust in Wales arranged an ‘exemplar visit’ for decision makers to Llandrindod High School, which has installed a biomass heating system that burns organic material.
The Carbon Trust, which works with UK business and the public sector to cut carbon emissions gave delegates the opportunity to see first hand how installing systems powered by a renewable energy source can cut their carbon emissions and slow the pace of climate change. The biomass system uses wood chip, which is a co product from a local saw mill, as fuel for its space and hot water heating.
The visit coincided with a Welsh Assembly Government call for businesses to cut carbon emissions by 10 per cent – and for local authorities to take into account carbon emissions of major developments.
The biomass system was installed by Powys County Council when they replaced two oil fired boilers at the school. It provides enough heat to power the school’s main teaching block, Leisure Centre and swimming pool.
Carbon Trust in Wales manager Mike Batt said: “The full potential of using biomass as a sustainable fuel is yet to be fully realised. Arranging this visit demonstrates the possibilities which exist and the benefits of this energy source. Llandrindod High School is a perfect example of what can be achieved.
“Being virtually carbon neutral, biomass energy will cut an organisations carbon emissions which in turn will reduce their impact on the environment.”
The visit formed part of a series of exemplar visits the Carbon Trust arranges. The purpose of the visits is to showcase projects demonstrating real energy savings and improved environmental performance utilising existing technologies.
Andrew Billingsley from Powys County Council's Construction and Facilities Management department said: "We're delighted to have been asked to get involved with Carbon Trust's exemplar visit and it gives us an opportunity to show organisations first hand the benefits of a biomass system. We're extremely pleased with the system, so much so that we will be installing another system at a second school next summer."
Biomass energy is generated when the natural energy stored inside organic materials, such as wood, is released. The energy is release through combustion and the carbon dioxide produced is balanced by the carbon the material has absorbed during its lifetime.
Carbon Trust is committed to developing a biomass heat sector in the UK and earlier this year announced its 5 year Biomass Heat Accelerator Project. The £5 million project, the largest Technology Accelerator programme ever undertaken by the Carbon Trust, will help accelerate the development of biomass heat in the UK.
More information on Carbon Trusts Biomass Heat Accelerator Programme can be found at www.carbontrust.co.uk
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