Energy

Energy for Chisholme – 2011 update

Awareness of our integral relationship with the world we live in is essential to the Beshara School and the education it offers. We are therefore committed to running the School in the most sustainable way possible.

Sustainable energy for Chisholme – action plan

• Raising awareness, education and setting an example in how to live in a sustainable way.

• Changing behaviour and habits.

• Realise all possible energy saving measures, including insulation, draught-proofing, double-glazing, secondary glazing.

• Investigate and realise different sustainable ways of energy generation. Currently under investigation are:

  • Grid Connection

  • Wind power

  • Heating Chisholme with wood

Introduction

In 2005, energy audits were done to work out where and how energy could be saved. At that time most of the heating requirements were met by individual kerosene boilers (although some small woodburners were being used), and electrical needs (including additional heating) through diesel generators. This meant significant carbon emissions and financial commitments. Following these audits, a number of interventions led to an increase in efficiency (low energy bulbs, some insulation measures, etc.), but actual generation of power was still to be addressed.

In 2008 funds were secured from the Energy Saving Trust which helped to install a wood-fuelled district heating system (see below), along with a wood processing and drying store and significant improvements to the insulation levels in the big house and Steading.

These changes also meant that a direct and very practical relationship was established between the Chisholme Estate and the school. A suitable supply of dry wood now needs to be secured on an ongoing basis, which involves 'many hands' in the estate's forestry sections, and creates a link between the physical work of fuel harvesting, and considerate use of heat at the consumer end.

Turning to electricity, a wind-turbine system was investigated, but the drawbacks of no grid connection meant that the project could not stand by itself. A grid-link, however, is (relatively) cheap, an effective emissions reducer, and is a useful step towards an on-site renewable energy project.