School embraces wind of change

WEDNESDAY, APR. 13: The Berkeley Institute has become the first school on the island to install its own wind turbine.

It is hoped the hi-tech turbine from Bermuda company Simply Green will cut down on electricity usage — saving both the environment and money.

Education

David Butterfield, director of facilities at the Pembroke school, said: “We were looking for ways to be more efficient and green.

“The long-term aim is to reduce our energy consumption from the grid.

“Because of our location, which is high on a hill, it was decided a wind turbine would bear the best results for us.”

The 22-ft-high generator has been mounted on the roof and is linked to a computer which logs power produced.

Mr Butterfield said the wind turbine is not yet generating power.

“For about three months, we’ll be gathering data and monitoring wind speeds,” he said.

“The second phase will be determining how far we can develop it to replace conventional power at the school.

“My personal hope is that this will be the first of several wind turbines at the school.

“Ideally, we’d also be able to generate a surplus during times when demand is low, like the summer holidays, and sell it to BELCO.

“Our intention is to get the children involved — in being aware of the environment and what we can do to help protect it as part of the education process.”

Mr Butterfield said it was hoped wind turbines, like telephone poles, would become part of the Bermuda landscape.

Carbon footprint

“We hope people will become used to them and accept that they’re helping to reduce energy production from fossil fuels and assisting the school in taking a big bite out of our energy bills, which is important in these times of reduced government budgets.”

Simply Green’s Jerry Ming said it was the firm’s first wind turbine installation on the island.

“We approached the school some time ago in relation to our alternative energy systems and they were very keen,” he said.

“Wind turbine technology isn’t suitable for every property, but larger facilities and larger residential properties should definitely be looking at alternative energy models as a way of cutting energy costs and reducing Bermuda’s carbon footprint.”

Stuart Hayward, Bermuda Environment and Sustainability Taskforce chairman, said: “We welcome any attempt to change the means by which we get our energy. We congratulate the school for looking into ways they can do this.

“For educational institutions to be looking into these possibilities is a healthy step and it will help raise awareness of alternative energy among young people.”