Perryville school installs biomass thermal energy system

PERRYVILLE, MO (KRCU) - Six schools in Southern Missouri will soon operate new biomass thermal energy heating systems.

The Missouri Department of Conservation provides the grants for the Missouri Fuels for Schools project.

Perry County 32 School District received one of the systems. Superintendent Kevin Dunn expects savings between $25 to $30 dollars per year, starting this winter.

"It’s great for the economy for the jobs, but also great for our local school district to have this nice new furnace that’s going to save us money long term but also each year by saving on natural gas and it’s very little expense to the local district almost the entire project was paid by federal grants," Dunn said.

The grant is funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) and administrated by the U.S Forest Service.

Missouri Fuels for Schools Project Coordinator Peter Maki says the system’s technology gives the ability to burn wood at efficiencies that are equal to or succeed natural gas efficiencies.

"You have an auger that pulls the wood chips from a chip room onto conveyor and then onto other conveyors and otters that automatically as you call for heat, all this is computer controlled so the chips are then augered into the combuster," Maki said.

This program plans to find funding and continue a Fuel for Schools program throughout Missouri.

Lauren Campbell, KRCU

Posted in: biomass energy,Fuels for Schools,Lauren Campbell,Perry County 32 School District,Perryville