Energy Generation
In late 2021, Patterson River installed a 96kW Solar PV System and Battery System to reduce costs, deliver better environmental outcomes and provide students with relevant, real world system data that can be incorporated into the curriculum at different levels.
The Patterson River Secondary College solar pV system project was supported with Victorian Government funding, provided through the Centre for New Energy Technologies, or C4NET, which the Victorian Government established in 2018.
More specifically, C4NET’s funding contribution has enabled Patterson River Secondary College to purchase batteries and further realise its clean energy and STEM education ambitions.
The Centre for New Energy Technologies (C4NET) is an independent, not-for-profit company, bringing government, industry and educational institutions together to support the energy sector transformation, particularly by facilitating better use of Victoria’s significant energy data resources.
One of C4NET’s core strategic pillars is to collaborate with industry and education institutions to deliver skills and training initiatives addressing emerging energy industry skill gaps.
In addition to the investment in the solar pV and battery system, the College has installed approximately 75 reverse cycle air heating and cooling system, allowing the school to decommission the decades old and inefficient boiler hot water and heating system.
Key Outcomes (2022)
- Produced 82.2MWh of electricity
- Prevented 87 tonnes of Greenhouse gas emissions
- All classrooms fully climate controlled
- Saved $41,000 in gas bills (old heating system decommissioned)
- Generated $13,152 of electricity
The College is helping to educate the next generation of energy professionals by creating curriculum pathways for students into careers in renewable energy, energy efficiency and new energy technologies.
Curriculum Links
- Use of STELR Renewable Energy Kits in Year 9 Science
- Year 11 Physics
- Year 11 Specialist Mathematics
The College is planning on expanding curriculum links in the future following an extensive review of the Year 7 and 8 Programs and timed with the recent opening of the new STEM Centre.
