Woodco Renewable Energy successfully supplied, installed, and commissioned a state-of-the-art Eco-Cabin Biomass Heating System to replace the school’s fossil-fuel heating. The installation features two 400kW wood chip boilers, delivering a combined capacity of 800kW, supported by a full suite of ancillary equipment including high-efficiency pumps, a large buffer tank for load management, an expansion vessel, and calibrated heat meters for performance monitoring.
Background & Objectives
Carndonagh Community School aimed to decarbonise its existing LPG heating system. Biomass was identified as the most suitable renewable solution given:
- The age and heating demand of the school buildings.
- The availability of sufficient on-site space.
- Wood chip fuel being the most cost-effective renewable heat source.
The school adopted an ESCO (Energy Supply Contract) model, ensuring they only pay for the kWh used while Woodco provides full system maintenance and fuel supply.
The scheme is funded through the SEAI/Department of Education Pathfinder Programme, which is part of the government’s plan to decarbonise schools.
This project benefits from the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat which is a subsidy based on the amount of fossil fuel that is displaced. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland administer the grant.
🌿 Why The Department of Education Chose Woodco
- ✅ Proven expertise in commercial biomass systems
- Woodco can provide a full ESCO model (Energy Supply Contract)
- 🔧 Full end-to-end project delivery with dedicated service support
- 📅 Reliable and on-time installation
- 🦺 Outstanding health & safety performance
- 100% Irish-owned with local technical expertise
🔧 Project Highlights
🚀 From Start to Finish
The system was seamlessly integrated with the school’s existing infrastructure and Building Management System (BMS), ensuring that the new renewable technology operates in harmony with existing facilities. To optimise control and reliability, Woodco installed a dedicated automated BMS control panel with an integrated touchscreen, enabling facility managers to monitor and adjust the biomass plant with ease.
Included in the Works
- Installation of 2 x 400kW wood chip boilers and all associated pumps, pipes, vessels, and valves.
- Dedicated automated BMS control panel & integrated touchscreen for the Biomass plant.
- Full commissioning and handover.
- Liaison with the Mechanical Contractor for seamless network integration.
- Post-handover support: Four quarterly site visits per year for seasonal commissioning, performance monitoring, and submission of energy performance reports to the Design Team.
Innovative Approaches of this Project:
Full BMS Integration:
Unlike many standalone biomass systems, this project incorporates a dedicated, touchscreen-controlled BMS panel, ensuring smart automation, simplified monitoring, and optimised performance.
Fuel Security & Local Supply:
The boilers are designed for wood chip fuel sourced from local suppliers, the fuel is located within a one-hour radius of the school. This guarantees supply chain resilience, cost stability, and economic benefits for the local community.
Quality & Efficiency Assured:
Fuel is certified under the Irish Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme, ensuring consistent performance, high combustion efficiency, and reduced maintenance.
Hybrid Heating Strategy:
While biomass provides over 90% of annual heating requirements, LPG boilers have been retained for backup, providing resilience during peak demand or maintenance periods.
Long-Term Value:
The project was developed under the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH), providing 15 years of financial support and further increasing the cost-effectiveness of biomass over alternatives.
Seamless Infrastructure Integration:
Retrofitting a renewable system into an existing school heating network required careful coordination of new pipework, pumps, controls, and electrical systems. The project team designed and executed the works without disruption to day-to-day school operations.
What is an Energy Supply Contract (ESCO)?
Woodco can install your biomass heating system with no capital investment and provide you with an annual saving on your heating overheads – typically 20-30%. This is called an ESCO Solution.
ESCO solutions are perfect for businesses looking to decarbonise their energy without any initial capital costs.
