LEARNING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Scotland’s oldest university is aiming to be energy self-sufficient by 2016. A paper mill had been operating in the village of Guardbridge outside St Andrews in Fife for more than 130 years when it closed in 2008. One reason for its demise was the rising cost of energy, ironic considering its imminent transformation to a biomass plant constructed primarily to slash energy bills at St Andrews University. The 6MW biomass plant is a key part of St Andrews’ ambitions to become the first university in the UK to be carbon-neutral for energy by 2016. A 12MW wind farm being built just outside the town will also help the university realise its ambition. Together, the projects should reduce the institution’s carbon emissions by 29,000 tonnes a year.