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ENERGY where possible.


• To provide a system to encourage and empower students to develop the project further.


• To raise awareness of the need for all of us to take responsibility for our actions both environmentally and socially.


Prior to the launch of this project, environmental work had been limited to a few staff hours a week but in September 2007 Ringmer appointed an Eco- Coordinator on a part-time basis to implement a programme of introducing renewable energy resources and engaging staff and pupils in a programme of environmental awareness. With no finance available in-house the project had to be self-funding or maximise the availability of grants. Steps were immediately taken to apply for funding from energy suppliers, the Green Fund, National Lottery and local authorities. An emphasis was put on three main elements – energy, waste/recycling and pupil involvement. Pupils have been key to the success of this project with nearly 25% of their 850 pupils actively involved. Students have been part of the grant application, planning and construction process, frequently discussing ideas with architects and project managers. Their interest and commitment has ensured that the whole college feels part of the entire process. A group of eight senior “Eco Reps” work on a day to day basis with the Eco- Coordinator to keep the project on track. These students apply for the post and are only appointed following interview by other students. Regular updates of progress are given to staff and the college’s Business Manager and Site Manager are an integral part of the planning and implementation process. Students now regularly give presentations at conferences and seminars on the work at Ringmer and their part in the process. Since the launch of this project, the college now has 220 “Eco Reps” who undertake extensive recycling, energy monitoring as well as reminding teaching staff to reduce paper usage and energy waste. A 7.5Kw photovoltaic array and 2.5Kw wind turbine help supply electricity to the school as well as being used as a teaching aid. Ground source heat pumps provide substantial energy to their new Sixth Form Block. The construction of a 450Kw biomass boiler in June 2010 completed their range of renewables. The college currently recycles around 110 tonnes of material a year which includes paper, cardboard, cans, plastic, vegetable oil, phones, ink cartridges and even its lost property. Waste reduction has resulted


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in savings in excess of £3000 a year, whilst the savings from insulation alone should save the college £8000 on its annual fuel bills. The renewable energy sources provide 20% of the college electricity and the new biomass boiler will result in a saving of 300 tonnes of CO2


employees. a


year. Heating using the ground source heat pumps and biomass will mean that some 70% of the college’s energy will be generated from renewable sources. In the last two years the college has been winners of an Ashden and National Teaching awards as well as being visited by schools and colleges from all over the South of England. In September 2010 they were chosen by HRH Prince Charles to represent sustainability at his “Start” exhibition held at Clarence House. The buildings have had extensive first time roof and wall insulation using a Salix payback scheme. Paper use has been reduced in some departments by as much as 40% and now each student is given a monthly paper allocation. Sustainability and environmental responsibility are now introduced throughout the curriculum. Such is the interest of the students that, following a local planning application for a large scale turbine, pupils lobbied local councillors and even appeared at the Public Enquiry in favour of the application. Perhaps most importantly pupils have a better appreciation of their responsibility to the environment and understanding that they simply can’t carry on regardless. The project is on-going and each year presents new challenges and projects. The Eco-Coordinator, Stephen Green, who received the award on behalf of the college says: “It’s our belief that as part of every child’s education they should learn their place in the world and be respectful of it. By seeing the benefits of practical alternative energy sources, proper insulation and common sense energy management we hope that they will have an insight into some of the issues which will impact on their adult lives. In my view this should be the responsibility of every school.”


www.ringmer.e-sussex.sch.uk


CASE STUDY: MARKS & SPENCER In January 2007, M&S launched Plan


A, its 100 point environmental and ethic programme. As part of Plan A, M&S pledged to become 25% more energy efficient, a carbon neutral business and to use 100% ‘green’ electricity. Its energy management team recognised that to achieve these ambitions they would need to invest into current and emerging energy technologies and systems, and to gain the support, cooperation and input of all M&S


SUSTAINABLE FM | DECEMBER 2010/JANUARY 2011


Since the launch of Plan A, the energy management team have worked extensively to investigate, utilise and implement every possible avenue of energy efficiency, employing a specialist technical team to research and undertake schemes of work across the M&S estate, including stores, distribution centres and head offices. Over the past three years the energy management team have trialled and applied a unique programme of works to its stores including the addition of weir plates and night blinds to fridge cases, LED lighting to freezer cases, remote monitoring and load shedding for its heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, incorporating PIR technology to lighting schemes in the front and back of house, control system upgrades and many more schemes, including the removal of the ability of stores to override lighting and HVAC systems.


In 2009/10 the energy management team created five Lower Energy Stores (LES) where progressive energy saving technologies were trialled. Colleagues at these stores were also engaged in the scheme to ensure the project was in harmony with operational requirements and could be maintained over the stores’ lifespan. From the first five LES, M&S has managed to identify an average saving of 25% in energy consumption and the findings are now being rolled out across the estate.


In the same year the energy


management team worked with the retail team to introduce electricity as a trial KPI for stores. The trial was monitored and following its success has been implemented in 2010/11 as a full store KPI. The introduction of electricity as a KPI has further enhanced the interest and focus of M&S store management and colleagues in conserving energy. To assist colleagues with managing their electric, gas and water consumption, a bespoke energy website was developed and implemented, specifically tailored to meet M&S requirements. The M&S energy website brings together and presents energy consumption data relating to stores, offices and distribution centres. The site provides enhanced visibility and focus for each building on their detailed energy consumption, thereby enabling colleagues to understand and analyse their energy profile and quickly identify and resolve issues causing wastage. This is further assisted by integrated excess consumption alerts which automatically alert stores when a rise in consumption has occurred. The site also houses key documentation


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