Lews Castle college project up for green award

by Greigg Adams

A project by Lews Castle College, Stornoway has reached the shortlist of the prestigious Scottish Renewables Green Energy Award.

The project is a croft development with a range of devices including six wind

turbines, three of which were made in the college workshops by evening class

students, a ground source heat pump, and a range of solar collectors on

flat, tiled and slate roofs.

The energy generated is used to heat and light a cluster of polytunnels and greenhouses in the college complex. A micro-hydro scheme is now under construction fed by the stream running through the grounds.

The winners of the awards will be announced on Thursday December 3rd.

Lews Castle College Principal David Green said: “Getting onto the shortlist for such a prestigious award is a great honour, and I am delighted that the visionary work of our engineering staff has been recognised in this way.

“Our current and future engineering students will be well-trained in renewable technologies and in the safe use and applications of hydrogen, and this is an important contribution to a low carbon future for us all.”