EDUCATION-FEB10-PG06-11:Page 6 02/02/2010 16:24 Page 6
News
Free Energy Display
Meters for schools
initiative launched
T
he Secretary of State for Children, Schools – such as switching off lights, computers and information actively being used in lessons and
and Families, the Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, saw electrical equipment – affects the school’s positive changes in behaviour that will help
the first school Energy Display Meter in electricity use. reduce the carbon footprint of our schools.
action as part of a £12 million energy Schools account for around 2 per cent of UK “Pimlico Academy has been designed and built
efficiency initiative to help schools and green house gas emissions, with 9.4 million as a sustainable school, and the new Energy
pupils to become more aware of energy use. tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted annually by Display Meter should help pupils and teachers
In a visit to Pimlico Academy in Westminster, schools in England. The energy display meters, alike identify even more opportunities to make
London, the Secretary of State spoke to pupils which are provided and installed by British Gas, those small changes which collectively make a big
and teachers about how the new technology, are expected to help reduce consumption by 10- difference We’re looking forward to making this
which gives real-time information about electricity 15 per cent and it is estimated that it could save opportunity available to more schools across the
use in their school, will help them to understand an average 900-pupil secondary school more than country and in so doing introduce more
more about how simple changes in behaviour can £3,000 a year on fuel bills alone. environmentally sustainable behaviours, both
make a big difference to the amount of energy The Energy Display Meter offer is funded by the within schools and in the ways young people live
consumed in their school. Department for Children, Schools and Families, their lives beyond the school gates.”
with Partnerships for Schools responsible for
overseeing the delivery of the project, working in
partnership with British Gas as the selected
private sector partner. The project is being
supported by the British Gas Generation Green
educational programme which has created a
range of learning resources, including lessons
plans, which are specifically designed to be used
alongside the ‘dashboard’ displays.
Speaking at the Pimlico Academy, the first
school to sign up to the initiative, Secretary of
State for Children, Schools and Families, the Rt
Hon Ed Balls MP said:
“School children of today have a real desire to
become the environmental champions of the future
The new initiative coincides with the – and we need to harness this interest. This £12 The Zero Carbon Task Force was set up in 2008
publication of the Zero Carbon Task Force final million investment will enable schools to lead the to advise on carbon reduction measures for
report which recommends that the use of energy way on an energy revolution, helping staff to schools and how best to achieve this. Two key
display meters and a comprehensive awareness reduce energy consumption, and helping children recommendations made by the Task Force in
campaign can help change energy efficiency to have a better understanding of the importance March 2009 were the use of energy display meters
behaviour in schools. of their behaviour in tackling environmental issues.” and a comprehensive awareness campaign to help
From 28th January 2010, all primary and Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnerships of change energy efficiency behaviour in schools.
secondary schools in England can apply for a free Schools, said:
energy display meter which will provide an “Display meters are a great way of tapping into All primary and secondary state schools in
accurate real-time reading of how much electricity the enthusiasm and interest that young people England will be eligible to apply for a free
a school building uses which can be displayed via have in the environment and energy efficiency. In energy display meter. Schools can find out how
the school’s computer network. This means that new and refurbished schools where these meters to apply for a meter via the Teachernet site:
pupils can see for themselves how simple actions are already in operation, we are seeing energy www.teachernet.gov.uk/energydisplaymeter
6
www.education-today.co.uk February 2010
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