Energy

Working towards a sustainable future

The Chisholme Institute is proposing a number of measures to secure  sustainable sources of energy for the future running of the school and estate.

Phase 1

To be started in the autumn of 2008.

Energy saving measures:

• Insulate all attic spaces. Draught-proof all windows in the big house, and continue replacing windows in the steading and cottages with double-glazed units. Install some secondary glazing in the big house. It is the intention to secondary-glaze all windows in the big house over the next few years.
• A number of air-lock porches will be built, and the original window shutters will be brought back into working order to achieve extra energy savings at night.

Biomass fuel:

• Oil-fired heating and hot water systems throughout the estate will be phased out, and replaced with wood-burning systems. Funding is currently sought for two high-efficiency log-burning boilers, which between them will provide heating and hot water for the big house and the steading.
• The Institute owns nearly 200 acres, much of which is forested, and in need of management to maximise productivity. In addition, the proximity to Craik Forest (Forestry Commission Scotland) assures a good (local) supply of logs if needed.
• The Institute has close ties with the Borthwick Brae Community Development Trust, which, in addition to the Institute, represents just over 100 households. There is considerable interest in the valley for Biomass fuel, and the local community (with the aid of the CDT) is seeking to secure its own supply of wood-fuel by acquiring a part of Craik Forest.

Phase 2

will include the installation of 'solar panel gardens' for hot water, which can feed into the accumulator tanks of the new boiler system at ground level. A feasibility study for wind-power is currently running and will be completed towards the end of 2008. Funding will then be sought to install wind-turbines for the generation of electricity.

Energy saving measures will be ongoing.

Phase 3

It is the intention of the Institute to become fully sustainable in its energy needs. As wind-power can only partially address the electricity needs of the school, additional electricity generation will be considered either through wood-fuelled Combined Heat and Power or Solar or Hydropower or a combination of these. Details are still to be worked out.