I propose to take Questions Nos. 505 to 507, inclusive, together.
My Department is at the forefront of design with respect to energy efficiency in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both National and International level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification and, recently, by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Science during a presentation on energy efficiency in school buildings by officials from my Department.
The Department's Technical Guidance Documents, which set the benchmark for low energy design in schools, are clearly focused on energy efficiency and are based on solid energy research projects. All new schools must achieve a BER rating of A3.
It has been demonstrated that all Primary Schools designed and built in line with the above policy and the technical guidance documents can have an energy performance that is 2.3 times more efficient than International best practice and nearly five times more efficient than schools built in the late '80s.
My Department's policy is supported by a strong research programme with over thirty five research projects at various stages currently in hand.
A hybrid approach is taken with respect to low energy design in schools based on maximising natural resources and energy efficient technologies. New schools are positioned to maximise gain from the sun during the day for passive solar heating and natural daylight. Passive solar design saves 20% of early morning heating period and adequate natural daylight when combined with automated lighting systems in the classrooms can eliminate the need for electrical light for up to 80% of the schools teaching hours.
Energy efficient boilers and individual room temperature controls combined with a strong emphasis on air tight testing and high insulation levels minimise heat requirements. Water usage is minimised through automatic shut off taps and dual flush toilets, while local water blending valves are provided to prevent scalding and rain water recovery is provided.
One of the above projects is to evaluate and test the suitable application, performance and compatibility of Photovoltaic for electrical generation in schools with school electrical requirements in terms of demand characteristics, controls, reliability, maintenance and operation. This project now includes, as part of its review, the recent Government decision to allow micro-generators to sell into the national grid as announced on 26 February 2009.
As with the application of any new technology in schools, decisions on the national roll out and procurement options will only be taken after the technology is tested appropriately in the school environment.
