ISBA

Autumn 2021 | Environmental sustainability www.theisba.org.uk 24 John Melbourne , principal risk management surveyor at Ecclesiastical Insurance, discusses some of the known and emerging risks associated with green energy generation, and the mitigation measures that can be put in place to reduce them. Sustainability is a key consideration in the choice of power and heating services for new independent school buildings, and when replacing services in existing buildings. As insurers, we recognise the need to improve the energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of school buildings, and we have seen significant growth in the use of green energy systems over the past couple of decades. These new methods of powering and heating buildings have brought new fire risks and safety challenges. In this article, I will focus on two of the most commonly adopted methods of green energy generation within the independent school sector – solar photovoltaic panels and biomass heating systems. I will discuss some of the common issues that have arisen, their associated risks and the steps you can take to reduce the risk to your buildings. Solar photovoltaic panels and photovoltaic to battery One of the most popular green energy systems to emerge is the use of photovoltaic panels to generate electricity so that buildings can be self-sufficient in respect of power. In the early days, many incentives were offered to adopt the technology, and there are obvious savings to be made on energy bills, making the systems a popular choice in education. Photovoltaic (PV) systems directly convert the sun’s light into electricity using solar cells. In simple terms, the light passes through the photovoltaic modules (panels) which produce direct current (DC) electricity. This then passes through an inverter that transforms the DC electricity into the alternating current (AC) electricity commonly used. High current levels can be experienced with DC electricity, which can pose problems with fire-fighting, particularly as the solar panels cannot simply be switched off and can continue to operate even when damaged. Delays can occur in making the premises safe for fire fighters possibly exacerbating the extent of the loss. Specialist fire extinguishing mediums have been developed for dealing with PV fires and fire and rescue services are equipped with these extinguishers. Sustainable independent school buildings and measures to mitigate their risks – a focus on green energy generation Photovoltaic panels generate electricity so that buildings can be self-sufficient in respect of power