Page 3464 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 17 September 2019
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30-kilowatt systems. All new schools constructed since 2012 have 100-kilowatt systems. A total of 2,620 megawatt hours of electricity is produced annually by the Education Directorate’s solar power systems. This network of solar power is contributing to the ACT’s commitment to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2020.
The new Margaret Hendry School, designed and built during 2017 and 2018, is the first all-electric ACT public school. This enables the school to support the ACT’s transition to 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2020 and produce zero emissions in its operations. The school integrates sustainable design features including 100-kilowatt solar panels to reduce demand on the electricity grid and school energy costs, automated led lighting with integrated motion sensor control to save power, double glazing to reduce the need for heating and cooling, electric-boosted hot-water to provide low cost zero emission hot-water, external shading to keep learning environments naturally cooler, an air-conditioning system which transfers heat from one end of the building to another part to improve energy efficiency, as well as a cooling system that flushes cool night air into the school buildings during summer to reduce the need for cooling during the day. The Margaret Hendry School shows that buildings that use only electricity are perfectly feasible as well as comfortable and economical. (Time expired.)
MR PETTERSSON: Minister, how is the ACT government increasing solar power generation at schools in the ACT?
MS BERRY: The ACT government continues to increase solar power generation across public schools. For example, Mount Rogers Primary School is installing solar car park lighting as part of its car park upgrades in the September school holidays.
An expansion of solar power systems in public schools is being planned across the ACT. Chapman Primary School, Monash Primary School and Caroline Chisholm School’s senior campus will all expand their solar power systems to 100 kilowatts. In addition, Mount Stromlo High School is expanding its solar power system to 200 kilowatts, while also transitioning from gas to electric heating. These projects combined will make a significant reduction in the schools’ carbon footprint.
Of course, all new public schools in the ACT will continue to be designed with environmental sustainability front of mind, including rooftop solar panels. The new school in Molonglo Valley will be the ACT’s second carbon-neutral school, following in the footsteps of Margaret Hendry School. The school is set to open at the beginning of 2021 and will use technologies that maximise the efficient use of electricity in addition to generating renewable energy onsite.
MR GUPTA: Minister, how else are ACT schools contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions?
MS BERRY: Building on the government’s $85 million public school infrastructure upgrades election commitment, there are so many ways that ACT public schools are reducing their carbon footprint and making these schools better places to be. Last year the Education Directorate completed draught-proofing indoors in 21 schools across the ACT, helping to reduce heating requirements.
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