It is now widely accepted that all new buildings should be environmental friendly not only in respect of sustainability but also in terms of net zero carbon. Whilst this of merit in both commercial and residential development, perhaps the most relevant is the construction of new schools given their use by the future custodians of the planet.
There is a growing number of forward thinking educational investors around the world who have began the transition from not only providing world class facilities in the development of new schools but also to incorporate net zero in their design.
The term net zero relates to the absence of carbon used in both the construction process and where the campus is entirely self-sufficient in the use of energy. This can be further extended as net zero positive where surplus energy is fed back into the grid or distributed to other external users in the community.
This is achieved through the use of renewable energy sources for example, photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, ground and air heat source pumps and hydro-turbines. The energy generated is used directly with any surplus stored in batteries for later consumption.
The acclaimed Green school in Bali became totally off grid in 2019 after the successful commissioning of a giant hydro-turbine known as Vortex that harnesses the energy from the Ayung river that flows through their jungle campus.
It is through this that students learn hands-on about sustainability by being involved with the various energy sources needed for their environment for example, collecting data, problem solving to improve efficiency and output and the adoption of other renewable solutions.
Mont21 is currently developing the first innovative, purpose-built net zero green school campus in Spain with the aim of it becoming a pathfinder for other similar schools in the future.
To learn more visit www.Mont21.org
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