FOUR RECENTLY built Irish schools have integrated wind turbines, solar panel installations and rainwater harvesting systems into their construction to save water and reduce energy costs and CO2 emissions.

GaelScoil and community colleges in Wicklow, Bantry and Abbeyfeale have adopted the new technologies, which include newly designed QuietRevolution turbines.

The compact vertical-axis design of the turbines means they harness wind energy in an urban environment or close to buildings more effectively, and operate at a much lower noise level than conventional turbines.

They are typically suited to sites where the wind is turbulent, which are less suited to conventional turbines, and this would include harbours, rail and road corridors and the rooftops of buildings.

It is understood that where the schools have both solar and wind installations, the power generated will supply up to 12 per cent of their energy needs, and that each wind turbine can generate about 6,000kwh of electricity a year, which alone would save up to €1,000 on electricity costs annually.

There is also an educational benefit for the schools as students and teachers have access to real-time data from the turbine showing wind speed, direction and how much power it is generating.