The biomass boilers were specified to replace 20 oil-fired boilers and associated oil tanks from around the site, in order to route a district heating scheme from one central energy hub.
A pair of 300kW Herz Biomatic boilers were installed over two phases into a purpose-built energy centre plant room that has been designed to suit a third phase should the schools decide to expand.
The boilers also have separate wood chip feed augers so that they can run independently, enabling no need for oil back up. This is also ideal for earning the RHI separately for each boiler. The boilers typically provide in excess of 21,000 litres of hot water to be stored in the system at any one time.
This unique design has afforded the schools the opportunity to upscale their biomass installation and add a third biomass boiler and other renewable technologies as required over the coming years. To date, it is estimated that there is a saving of 140,000 litres of oil per year (an estimated £70,000 per year at 50p per litre of oil). Now an estimated 450 tons (1592m³ much reduced cost).
Overall the Schools have made an impressive estimated annual carbon saving of 288T of CO2.