Cycle-powered doughnut fryer among initiatives of school energy hub
/ By David Barnott-ClementIt takes about 600 watts to cook a doughnut, or if you attend Huonville High School a brisk 20-minute ride on the school's energy bikes.
Key points:
- A school-based renewable energy hub is sparking connections between students and the community
- The hub showcases renewable energy technologies and runs student-led community workshops
- Students worried about climate change feel they are making positive contributions
It is tough work too. Students puff their way through a rotating roster as the oil fryer shimmers and bubbles.
Saila Perera is in year 10 and says while making doughnuts is fun, the amount of energy required to cook them has shown her how large our appetite for power really is.
"At first it seemed like a really cool thing to do, and then the longer I was in [the energy hub] I realised how important saving energy is and how important the world is," she said.
Like many young people, Saila is worried about climate change.
"It's actually happening way faster than anyone thinks and it's something that we should all try to stop."
After 20 minutes the sweaty students are each presented with the fruits of their labour — a single doughnut.
'It's actually doing amazing things'
The driving force behind the program is teacher and program coordinator Nel Smit, who said the Zayed Huon Energy Hub had become an important focal point for the town.
"The energy hub is a meeting place for the students, but it's also a place where we hold workshops and demonstration events for the whole community," she said.
"It's raised awareness of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and opportunities in the community for engaging them around that sort of technology."
The hub, a repurposed building on school grounds, boasts solar panels, triple glazing, energy efficient curtains, and insulation.
The upgrades were paid for using an international prize won by Huonville High in 2017, the Zayed Future Energy Prize, worth $133,000.
Mrs Smit said the prize which "celebrates significant achievements in renewable energy and sustainability" did not just pay for building upgrades.
"There was a great deal of excitement to actually win an international award," she said.
"There was a real sense … in the community about 'this little school in the Huon Valley it's actually doing amazing things'."
A student-innovator 'conduit'
Five years on the enthusiasm has not faded.
Energy innovators of the Huon Valley now work with the school to inspire and excite the next cohort of students.
As a boy, local Michael Fewings drove his dad "absolutely crazy" with questions about storms and lightning.
Today he creates his own power using a self-built hydroelectric and solar system, and is sharing this passion for renewables with Huonville students.
"It runs our entire house and our extraordinarily large consumption of power, like we consume over $3,000 worth of power a year" Mr Fewings said.
"So, I bring my knowledge and also my love of the kid's learning."
Mr Fewings said the energy hub had been instrumental in giving students a voice.
"I don't think we even touch the surface of kid's understanding of what the future is in regards to climate change and renewables, and how that's all going to drive a much better future for us all," he said.
"I think we need to listen a little bit more."
'I'm making a change'
With the most recent climate change report a "code red for humanity", young people are worried about their future.
And in a world where adults make the decisions, student Aisha Fisher said the energy hub is giving her a sense of purpose and impact.
"Being part of Zayed has definitely helped me feel like I'm doing something. I'm making a change, and that has reassured me," she said.
Ms Fisher is level-headed when it comes to the challenge of climate change.
"Running from climate change as a young person doesn't help," she said.
"The best thing you can do is to look at it from an optimistic, realistic point of view, and see what you can do on your small scale."