Learning about Sustainability from a Primary School
10 September 2010
The first primary school where its energy consumption is less than its energy production has been created. The school is in Paris, some kilometers from the city center.
There are solar panels on the roof to ensure the electricity supply, solar pipes are used to heat water and a special illumination system has been incorporated for the desks so as to take advantage from the external light reflection, the heating system meanwhile, uses geothermal energy. Moreover, the building is designed and oriented with the specific aim of exploiting sunbeams in the best way. Wind currents have also been taken in consideration in order to improve the regulation of temperature in the building. Of course the isolation technology is the most innovative: three-layered glass windows and watertight joints have been realized.
The cost of the building is 14 million euro, 25% more than a normal school, but the energy saved should write off the difference in 15-20 years.
This is a very important step, not only for energy saving in public buildings, always a crucial issue in public expenditure, but also for the strong message that pupils will receive at school… this time not in theory.. but in practice!"
 

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