In a ground-breaking project to become energy efficient, St Andrew’s College has become one of the first school in the country to introduce wind turbines to offset energy requirements.
The 12-metre 1kW wind turbine with three-metre length blades was constructed recently to power irrigation pumps on Knowling field as part of the dream of Grade 11 pupil, Simon Harvey.
Harvey contacted Eveready Kestrel Wind Turbines, PE, for their support in the research of the project. The turbine now affords students a unique opportunity to study the effects of wind energy and the subsequent savings on electricity it will provide for the future.
St Andrew’s College’s Design and Technology Centre Director, Keith van Winkel, is enthusiastic. “This is an exciting day for the College in that our commitment to using green, sustainable energy on our campus, wherever possible, is now becoming very visible. Our Design Centre has a teaching programme that incorporates sustainable energy practice and our students can make practical use of this turbine to actively monitor the day-to-day savings of energy it provides, as well as measure the actual wind energy being delivered at any given time,” he said. “It’s a good feeling to be able to practice what we preach!”
“I have always taken an interest in wind turbines and how they work. I would like to thank all involved for their support with the project and to Mr Van Winkel and St Andrews’ College for allowing me to make my dream come true; paving the way forward for a greener future in schools.” said Simon.
The powerful wind turbine is part of St Andrew’s College’s commitment to using alternative energy resources wherever possible and complements the Solar Geysers recently installed in two of their boarding houses.
The initiative of harvesting wind energy comes on the heels of the installation of Solar Panels in the recently renovated Holland House (in 2008) and Graham House (in 2009). The Thermal Solar Panels feed into the geysers in these Houses and have already resulted in energy savings in the region of 45% – 60%. The commensurate savings on the electricity bills has softened the blow of the substantial increments in the cost of electricity, and will result in the investments being redeemed in less than 5 years.
The newly renovated Mullins House has diversified the green technology with the installation of a Heat Pump which, it is projected, will result in an energy saving of 70% compared to conventional heating.
