Resources
Energy Sparks
This online energy analysis tool and carbon reduction programme aims to help schools reduce their carbon footprint and teach pupils about energy saving and sustainability. Using a school’s electricity, gas and solar data, Energy Sparks shows how much energy the school is using each day, and suggests what actions the school community could take to reduce carbon emissions. Pupils, staff and community volunteers can use this information to help the school save energy. Energy Sparks has over 80 education activities and accompanying resources which pupils can participate in through eco-teams, curriculum learning or home learning projects. Participating schools are supported with online training, energy audits and education workshops. Energy Sparks is currently free of charge for UK state schools through Energy Sparks’ charitable funding, with independent schools able to join on payment of an annual fee.
energysparks.uk ‘Energy Sparks has enabled children at Freshford to investigate how energy is used in different parts of the school and devise strategies to reduce the school’s consumption. The children’s enthusiasm was kick-started by the competitive element, and they’ve worked effectively with staff and the local community to think innovatively about what we can do to reduce our impact on the environment and reduce costs. The children developed and presented evidence-based initiatives to the school’s business managers, securing installation of energy-efficient lighting and kitchen equipment, movement sensor switches and a solar panel campaign. We found the Energy Sparks resources to be inspirational, powerful and transformational tools to help children develop a powerful can-do attitude towards the challenges of global warming.’ Andrew Wishart, headteacher, Freshford Church School, Bath
Costs
dependent on energy consumption
Ecotricity
Online tool free to state schools
Switching to 100% renewable electricity and carbon neutralised gas is the single most impactful measure schools can take to cut carbon emissions. All electricity supplied by Ecotricity is 100% green and certified vegan, generated at wind and sun parks around Britain. Supplied gas is a mix of carbon-neutralised natural gas and sustainable green gas. With no shareholders to pay dividends to and a straightforward ethical pricing policy, Ecotricity reinvests profits in building new forms of green energy. Later this year, work will begin on two new solar parks, and in 2022 they plan to bring geothermal energy to Britain for the first time. Ecotricity have also started building green gas mills and their first one will be up and running soon. Ecotricity are experienced in servicing large multi-site customers, with a well-established process for seamless transition. The team will look at your school’s consumption and energy profile before providing a quote for consideration.
ecotricity.co.uk/FundEd ‘We took a decision to adopt 100% renewable energy with Ecotricity for our electricity meters, in consultation with Optimise Energy UK. This was a significant step for the school, which demonstrates our eagerness to support the environment. The decision to go green was helped by the competitive price we received versus other suppliers and the fact that we will secure a saving of 164 tonnes of CO2 per annum.’ Gareth Morgan, bursar, Blue Coat School, Birmingham
FundEd AUTUMN 2021 55
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