Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre goes carbon negative
Published Friday, 08 September, 2023 at 03:41 PM
Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing
The Honourable Grace Grace
- 99kW off grid power system officially opened at Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre
- Largest renewable energy system ever built on a state school site
- Konomie Island is now one of the only carbon negative islands in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Education Minister Grace Grace has joined Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga to officially open a 99kW off grid renewable power system at the Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre, near Yeppoon.
The renewable energy system is the largest of its kind to be installed at a Queensland state school site.
It includes 258 Australian made solar panels, 36 lithium phosphate batteries, a wind turbine, and a backup generator for emergencies.
It is state-of-the-art, and is an example of what can be achieved with renewable energy technology in Queensland’s schools and other facilities.
The Palaszczuk Government has invested $1.3 million to build the system, which was designed and delivered by Solar Hybrid Conversions.
The off-grid system, together with the sea grass beds grown and replenished by the school staff, makes the Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre carbon negative.
Konomie Island is now one of the only carbon negative islands in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
The investment is part of the Department of Education’s commitment to supporting the government’s targets to reduce emissions and complements other projects such as the installation of more than 200,000 solar panels across 900+ state schools throughout Queensland.
The Palaszczuk Government has almost reached its 2030 emissions reduction target of a 30% reduction below 2005 levels, having already reduced emissions by 29% based on the latest 2021 data. We remain focused on meeting our commitment to zero net emissions by 2050, in line with leading global economies.
We are also implementing our $62 billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan which includes an historic expansion of solar and wind power, supported by two world class pumped hydro facilities, which will deliver a 90 per cent reduction of electricity emissions on 2005 levels by 2035-36.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Education Grace Grace:
“This new off-grid system demonstrates what we can achieve using technology to reduce our environmental impact.
“It is also a powerful educational tool to show the 2,500 students who visit Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre each year the latest in renewable energy systems.
“Hopefully we will inspire a new generation of environmental scientists and renewable technology engineers.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Keppel, Brittany Lauga:
“I am so proud of the world leading work that’s being done right here on the Capricorn Coast. think this can be a blueprint for other islands around Australia and around the world.
“It’s not just about making the centre even more environmentally friendly, but incorporating education too.
“The system will be a teaching tool – these students go back to their lives all over Queensland with an understanding and focus on the importance of renewable energy and living a more sustainable life.”
Quotes attributable to Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre Principal Andrew Gill:
“Our new solar panel and lithium phosphate battery system produces and stores enough electricity to power 40 households.
“This will pave the way for the air-conditioning of accommodation cabins through renewable energy only.
“The students who visit us can learn about state-of-the-art renewable energy systems and experience a truly sustainable and off-grid lifestyle during their stay.
“Hopefully the students then apply our school motto ‘Galanga Gu Wiyibi’ (Learning for Life) and take this experience back to their communities to help protect the future of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.”
ENDS
Media contact - Kate Talbot, 0439 803 211