Gradwood, a provider
of commercial heating solutions, has commented on news that St Andrews is to
become the country’s only ‘carbon-neutral’ institution
St Andrews, one of the oldest universities in the United
Kingdom, is on track to become a carbon-neutral institution, potentially making
it one of the first to do so, thanks to new plans for biomass development,
according to The Scotsman.
It’s estimated that a grand total of £25million will be
invested in the St Andrews University, with the aim of creating a green energy
centre. The centre, which will be located in Guardbridge at an old paper mill,
has now been given planning permission.
The consent has only been granted in principle but could see
them gain permission to convert Curtis Fine Papers, turning it into a research
and sustainable power campus. The move, if it gets the final go ahead, would
see the Fife seat of learning become the UK’s only university with
carbon-neutral credentials.
The plan was roundly approved by the north-east planning
committee for Fife, allowing the development of a state of the art biomass plan
which will require an underground and complex system of pipes, transporting water
to St Andrews university over four miles away.
Maggie Taylor, a councillor for Tay Bridgehead, said: “The
university is making great use of this site. I was delighted to see that it is
using the existing buildings. They are beautiful brick buildings and they are
going to sell the bricks from the buildings that are coming down.”
Woodchips sourced from the local area will be burned by the
biomass boiler to produce energy for a district heating water system.
The project, which was dubbed “very ambitious” by St Andrews
Councillor Brian Thomson, will also see the creation of a whole new campus
containing research facilities designed for the renewable energy sector, which
will also be open to use for private businesses within the industry.
Combined with a number of wind turbines which are also being
built, the green energy centre is predicted to have a massive effect in
limiting energy bills.
Responding to the news, Gradwood, a provider of industrial
heating systems, said that the project goals are certainly attainable,
celebrating the carbon-neutral efforts.
A spokesman for Gradwood said: “As a leading provider of
industrial heating systems we know just how important being environmentally
friendly is in the 21st century. It’s no longer just about heat and
energy but also about tackling carbon emissions and finding ways to power a
changing world in a more efficient way.
“Not only are we confident that St Andrews will succeed but
we also expect more people going forward, whether schools or manufacturers, to
embrace evolving technologies for hot water generation, radiator systems and
more.
Gradwood Ltd was founded in 1966 and is one of the UK’s best
providers of ventilation and industrial heating systems. They provide solutions
for garages, factories, workshops, shopping centres and more. To find out more
about Gradwood, visit their website today at www.gradwood.co.uk.