COULD THIS BE YOUR SCHOOL - TAKE POSITIVE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE - FIRST SCHOOL IN SPAIN JOINS AN ENERGY COMMUNITY TO ACHIEVE ITS ENERGY TRANSITION -
READ THEIR STORY AND LEARN FROM THEIR EXAMPLE
More than 300 children in Madrid say goodbye to extreme temperatures at school
In the Heart of Madrid, a School is leading the Way in Energy Sustainability. The Colegio Centro Cultural Palomeras is spearheading a transformation toward energy sustainability. This educational institution, managed as a cooperative by its teachers, has embraced photovoltaic self-consumption and air source heat pumps to tackle the challenges of climate change. Thanks to these efforts, over 300 children from Madrid can say goodbye to extreme temperatures in their school.
This shift is part of the Aurora Project, led by the South Campus of the Polytechnic University of Madrid and funded through the European initiative that shares its name. The school aims to raise €150,000 in just four months via a crowdfunding campaign in a loan format with interest rates of 1.5%. This initiative seeks to replace the school’s aging gas boiler, leaving fossil fuels behind.
The crowdfunding campaign is open, allowing anyone interested to participate by filling out a simple form. This represents a historic moment, as Centro Cultural Palomeras would become the first school in Spain to achieve an energy transition with the support of its community.
The planned upgrades include photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps, which will ensure effective climate control within the school while reducing CO2 emissions. This initiative not only bolsters the school’s resilience to extreme temperatures but also generates significant economic savings on energy bills—essential for repaying the loans with an annual interest rate of 1.5% before taxes.
Anyone can participate with a minimum contribution of €100, while university or vocational students can join with just €20. Contributions on behalf of minors are also welcomed, provided consent is obtained from their parents or legal guardians.
The campaign’s minimum goal is to raise €50,000, prioritizing the installation of photovoltaic systems for self-consumption. Reaching €150,000 would ensure optimal funding, covering all the school’s energy needs, generating 56,116 kWh/year, and saving a total of 7,295 kg of CO2 annually. Over 70 people have already joined the project, enabling the first milestone to be met.
Colegio Centro Cultural Palomeras exemplifies the transformative potential of educational institutions, which not only raise awareness among younger generations but also act as engines of social transformation within their communities. Educational communities are powerful drivers of change, leading the shift toward a sustainable energy model. Citizen participation is crucial in proving that alternative approaches are possible, ensuring that over 300 Madrid students leave extreme temperatures behind in their school.
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