£12m for display meters for more sustainable schools
26 November 2009
The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, the Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, today announced a £12m investment in new energy display meters providing schools with real-time digital information about their electricity use from January next year.
From January 2010, primary and secondary schools across England will be able to apply for a meter which will give a second-by-second reading on how much electricity a building is using. Pupils and staff will be able to see immediately the impact of switching on and off individual pieces of electrical equipment, computers and lights on easy to read display monitors.
Partnerships for Schools will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of the new display meters project, working in partnership with British Gas, as the selected private sector partner.
Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnerships for Schools, said: “Pupils across England are some of the keenest sustainability champions around. In Building Schools for the Future schools where display meters are already in operation we have seen young people and teachers enthusiastically using this data to show how simple changes in behaviour can make a real difference.
“Research by the Carbon Trust shows that display meters and wider behavioural changes in using energy could see 10 to 15 per cent cuts in fuel bills – meaning the average one-form primary school could save up to £700 a year and the average 900-pupil secondary school more than £3,000 a year on fuel bills alone.
“But the use of this technology is also a great way to harness young people’s interest in the environment and embed behaviours which they can use beyond the school gates, and we look forward to seeing the difference that this important investment will make.”
Kanat Emiroglu, Managing Director of British Gas Business said: “Building on our market leading position on smart metering, this major project is an excellent opportunity to combine British Gas’s energy services expertise with, our leading environmental schools’ programme, Generation Green. These display meter displays will provide the opportunity for teachers and pupils to learn about climate change, energy efficiency and carbon budgeting in an exciting and interactive way, whilst also allowing schools to manage and reduce their energy costs.”
The display meters project was announced today as part of the publication of the discussion document Securing Our Future – Using Our Resources Well.
The meters will be provided with software that allows clear, easy-to-read displays to a nominated PC in a prominent place within the school so that pupils, teachers and wider users of the school can monitor electricity use. Schools will be given instructions for how the meter should be used, and guidance on how it can support teaching and learning and raise awareness. School maintenance staff will also be able to use the data to inform decisions about how to make energy savings.
Notes to Editors:
- PfS is the government’s delivery agent for the full suite of capital investment programmes into schools, helping ensure that taxpayers get the best value from every education pound spent.
- PfS is responsible for the delivery of around £8bn investment into education until 2011– through Building Schools for the Future; the Academies programme; the Primary Capital Programme; and the Devolved and Targeted Capital Programmes.
