Glanmire Community College benefits from sustainable energy initiative
Glanmire Community Association were recently nominated to benefit from environmental changes facilitated through an initiative between the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and SuperValu.
“As we all know it is our students, and our students’ children that will lead the charge in support of sustainability and a healthier environment in the years ahead. That’s why it is essential that the topic of sustainability is top of the agenda here at our school, and in schools across the county,” said Ronan McCarthy, principal of Glanmire Community College.
The SEAI Sustainable Energy Communities Network sees communities working towards a common goal to become more energy-efficient, use renewables where possible, and explore smart energy technologies.
Through the scheme, local SuperValu stores are continuing their long-standing objective to bettering their surrounding local communities by nominating community buildings and clubs. Glanmire Community Association will benefit in this instance, who were nominated along with Ballyphehane Community Association from the scheme and will utilise the money by upgrading their own buildings and facilities, in a similar manner to how their local SuperValu stores did.
Glanmire Community College was one of the community buildings selected to benefit from the scheme and they used the grant for cavity insulation, which will lead to an annual saving of over €1,300 per annum for the school.
According to Ronan McCarthy, principal of Glanmire Community College, sustainability is an important topic for staff and students at the school.
“Sustainability is a huge topic of importance to our staff and our students here at Glanmire Community College. We have a very longstanding working relationship with Ryan’s Supervalu here at the school, and they informed us we could be supported through SuperValu and the SEAI.
“There is no question, following the substantial works that took place in the B Block of the school that we have a far more warm, welcoming, and comfortable learning environment for our students where they can operate on a daily basis,” Mr McCarthy said.
Ryan’s SuperValu, Grange, for instance, have installed an update to their refrigeration units and installed 456 solar panels on the roof through their ‘ Building Sustainable Communities’ initiative, the results of which will provide the energy equivalent of powering 41 houses per year.
“We have been making a continuous effort to make our store as energy efficient as possible since 2015. Installing the solar panels is the next step in our journey. We were delighted to be able to support Glanmire Community College and the Ballyphehane Community Association with an energy upgrade of wall insulation that will help them stay warm, and save them money each year,” said Jason O’Callaghan of Ryan’s SuperValu, Grange.
SEAI is Ireland’s national energy authority investing in, and delivering, appropriate, effective and sustainable solutions to help Ireland’s transition to a clean energy future. They work with Government, homeowners, businesses and communities to achieve this, through expertise, funding, educational programmes, policy advice, research and the development of new technologies.
SEAI is funded by the Government of Ireland through the Department of Environment, Climate Action and communications.