Greenschool. Energy self-su ency project

Transcription

1 Press release Greenschool Energy self-su ency project

2 The Greenest School on Earth I was fascinated by my first visit to the Greenschool. I was immediately seduced by this revolutionary educative model that knew how to integrate ecology into every aspect of school life. By combining a high quality classical teaching with highly developed environmental training, this school of sustainability had no choice but to use electrical energy from renewable resources. It was obvious when I met with John Hardy that we needed to combine talents on an ambitious project of energy self-sufficiency, thereby perpetuating the principles that guide the members of the Greenschool every day to attain excellence in sustainable development. Eric Scotto, co-founder of Akuo Foundation and co-founder of Akuo Energy The Greenschool, founded in 2008 in Bali, is a very unique school. By rethinking education so that it includesecological training from a young age, this school has become a model of education for future generations. It is in this respect that it has been awarded the price of the Greenest School on Earth by the U.S Green Building Council, the American founder of the LEED label - Leadership in energy and environmental design, an internationally recognized mark of excellence. The school was exclusively built from sustainable materials, which includes all interior furniture. The school members endeavour to protect their extraordinary environment. The Akuo Foundation joined the Greenschool adventure in 2010 by bringing its technical and financial support to their exemplary educational approach. To develop this never-before-seen project, the teams of Akuo Energy designed energy solutions that would guarantee that 100% of the site selectric supply come from renewable resources. By using their expertise in developing eco-minded photovoltaic schemes, Akuo s engineers collaborated with the members of the Greenschool to conceive a customized project that focused both on the electricaldesign of the installations and the innovative design of the photovoltaic modules, which were placed on bamboo structures. A small hydroelectric power station was also set up in addition to the solar installation. The engineering of the project demonstrates a high level of technical achievement, in terms of how both the equipment used and the ways in which it was installed were carefully analyzed. The teams chose to set up batteries specially designed for that type of installation, therebymaking it possible to adjust electricity output according to the school s power consumption. Upon completion of the development stage, the project was financed by the Akuo Foundation, under the aegis of the Fondation de Luxembourg, as well as by the Greenschool. The project also developed a program of environmental awareness to train the members of the Greenschool on daily ecogestures each person could make in order to reduce the school s power consumption. Under the auspices of the Fondation de Luxembourg, the teams of Akuo Energy and the Akuo Foundation are very proud to contribute to the establishment of the greenest school in the world.

3 Akuo Foundation The battery house The photovoltaic panels bamboo structure

4 Who we are Akuo Energy is an Independent Power Producer of renewable energy plants based in Paris, France. It is one of the few private IPPs worldwide to specialize in the development, financing, construction, and operation of all major renewable energy technologies, including wind, solar, hydroelectric, biomass, biogas, and biofuel application for co-generation and electricity storage. Akuo Energy s mission is to generate a substantial positive impact on climate change reduction by operating 4,000 MW in power plant capacity within 5 years, annually producing 12 million MWh of green electricity. This is the equivalent of meeting the electricity demands of 7.5 million people, while avoiding 5.3 million tons of CO2 emissions annually. The 4,000 MW will be met through the following breakdown of renewable energy technologies: 3,000 MW in wind energy; 750 MW in solar energy; 150 MW in biomass energy; 100 MW in hydroelectric energy; 250 MW in methanization, gasification, fuel cells, electricity storage, and biofuelapplications for co-generation. Roughly 50% of Akuo Energy s activity is located in Europe (France, Italy, Poland, Croatia, and Turkey), while 40% is based in the US and 10% in South America. Akuo has invested over $1 billion in renewable energy projects, and it currently operates 30 power plants that are generating more than 200MW of electricity, with a MWh annual production. By the end of 2012, Akuo Energy plans on reaching the $2 billion investment ceiling by adding another 300MW of renewable energy projects to its portfolio. This will give Akuo a total of 500MW in power financed that will represent an annual production of 1.2 million MWh. Akuo is led by a team of experts in business and engineering, and with fewer than 100 employees worldwide, the company benefits from a lean, knowledge-driven entrepreneurial company culture. Due to this smart organizational strategy, Akuo was able to emerge as the No. 1 solar energy power producer in the French Islands (Corsica, La Réunion, and the West Indies) in only four years. It has also led Akuo to be the undisputed No. 2 biomass and solar power producer in France. Akuo s unique ability to build power plants using all of the major renewable energy technologies enables Akuo to work in communities around the world and turn locally-available energy sources into long-term, clean energy solutions that are also affordable. Akuo Energy is committed to sustainable development and to designing smart projects that benefit local communities beyond producing affordable, clean electricity. Our projectsencompass an approach for long-term development that values our local partners' expertise in community development initiatives. We are proud to participate in their success. These projects have set an example in the renewable energy industry and are increasingly being taken up by others in the field. Akuo s commitment to maximize its potential for creating a positive social and environmental impact is as strong as ever, and in 2011 it launched the Akuo Foundation. This foundation empowers all of Akuo s employees and partners to conceive new projects and work together towards their successful implementation. The variety of projects allows Akuo to broaden its outreach and have a greater impact on communities throughout the world.

5 Our commitment Akuo Energy is very proud to have created the Akuo Foundation under the aegis of the Fondation de Luxembourg, as it is a vehicle that will enable Akuo Energy to leverage its impact and to embrace new projects on a non-for-profit basis. It will also enable partners to join its initiatives that provide underserved populations access to the following: 1. Access to electricity from renewable energy sources, ensuring continuity of supply at sustainable prices; 2. Access to education and knowledge; 3. Access to water and health services; 4. Access to programs and technical innovations that protect the environment and local biodiversity or that promote sustainable agricultural practices The Akuo Foundation values are deeply rooted into the values Akuo Energy holds as acompany, and they center around integrity, learning, innovation, and the belief that by working together we can contribute to making a better world. Our projects ElemenTerre A.C.E. is a non-profit association which was created in 2007 with the aim of making the younger generations aware of environmental issues and sustainable development by means of simple daily gestures and actions, called ecogestures. The ElemenTerre outreach program addresses these issues through an interactive approach that encourages junior high school students, their teachers, and even their parents, to modify and adjust their behaviors that have the most adverse effect on the environment. BLUE Marine Foundation BLUE Marine Foundation (BLUE) is a UK charity founded in 2010 with the goal of solving one of the largest problems our planet faces: the crisis in the oceans. It was founded by the producers of the documentary, The End of the Line, which warns against the dangers of overfishing. The Akuo Foundation funds the French dubbing of the film, allowing the film to reach a largeraudience. The Akuo Foundation is also working with BLUE on an innovative project aimed at reducing the Pacific Trash Vortex. ELA Founded in 1992, the European Leukodystrophy Association (ELA), sponsored by Zinedine Zidane, is an association of motivated and informed parents and patients who are workingtogether in the fight against leukodystrophies and myelin diseases. The Akuo Foundationsponsors sporting events in order to raise funds for the association. Bardzour project Bardzour is a training program developed by the Akuo Foundation in the French Island of La Réunion for the rehabilitation of prisoners from La Prison du Port. The program trainsprisoners on bee-keeping, organic market gardening, and electrical equipment recycling, providing the prisoners with the skills and experience to one day exercise a sustainable business themselves.