Free Energy Display Meters for schools initiative launched

28 January 2010

The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, the Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, today saw the first school Energy Display Meter in action as part of a £12 million energy efficiency initiative to help schools and pupils to become more aware of energy use.

In a visit to Pimlico Academy in Westminster, London, the Secretary of State spoke to pupils and teachers about how the new technology, which gives real-time information about electricity use in their school, will help them to understand more about how simple changes in behaviour can make a big difference to the amount of energy consumed in their school.

The new initiative is launched today to coincide with the publication of the Zero Carbon Task Force final report which recommends that the use of energy display meters and a comprehensive awareness campaign can help change energy efficiency behaviour in schools.

From today, all primary and secondary schools in England can apply for a free energy display meter which will provide an accurate real-time reading of how much electricity a school building uses which can be displayed via the school's computer network. This means that pupils can see for themselves how simple actions - such as switching off lights, computers and electrical equipment - affects the school's electricity use.

Schools account for around 2 per cent of UK green house gas emissions, with 9.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted annually by schools in England. The energy display meters, which are provided and installed by British Gas, are expected to help reduce consumption by 10-15 per cent and it is estimated that it could save an average 900-pupil secondary school more than £3,000 a year on fuel bills alone.

The Energy Display Meter offer is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, 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 - and we need to harness this interest. This £12 million investment will enable schools to lead the way on an energy revolution, helping staff to reduce energy consumption, and helping children to have a better understanding of the importance of their behaviour in tackling environmental issues."

Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnerships of Schools, said:

"Display meters are a great way of tapping into the enthusiasm and interest that young people have in the environment and energy efficiency. In new and refurbished schools where these meters are already in operation, we are seeing energy information actively being used in lessons and positive changes in behaviour that will help reduce the carbon footprint of our schools.

"Pimlico Academy has been designed and built as a sustainable school, and the new Energy Display Meter should help pupils and teachers alike identify even more opportunities to make those small changes which collectively make a big difference We're looking forward to making this opportunity available to more schools across the country and in so doing introduce more environmentally sustainable behaviours, both within schools and in the ways young people live their lives beyond the school gates."

Kanat Emiroglu, Managing Director of British Gas Business said:

"British Gas is committed to supporting the public sector in meeting government targets to reduce carbon emissions and we are proud to be at the forefront of the biggest revolution in energy efficiency since the switch to natural gas in the home in the 1970s.

"British Gas is the largest provider of advanced and smart meters to the public and private sector. Smart and advanced metering, combined with our Energy Services and our multi-site expertise, are already showing how our customers can be put back in control of their energy usage, helping them use less energy, cut carbon emissions, comply with government legislation and save money."

Lionel Christolomme, Managing Director of Bouygues UK - the construction company delivering Westminster City Council's Building Schools for the Future programme - said:

"Pimlico Academy has been designed and built as an environmentally-friendly school with a range of sustainable features including solar thermal panels, a rainwater harvesting tank, air source heat pumps and the utilisation of the local district heating PDHU system, all of which reduce energy and water consumption. As a BSF delivery partner we are pleased to support the Energy Display Meter initiative for schools to encourage pupils to do their bit for the environment - and to encourage their teachers and parents to do the same."

The Zero Carbon Task Force was set up in 2008 to advise on carbon reduction measures for schools and how best to achieve this. Two key recommendations made by the Task Force in March 2009 were the use of energy display meters and a comprehensive awareness campaign to help change energy efficiency behaviour in schools.

All primary and secondary state schools in England will be eligible to apply for a free energy display meter. Schools can find out how to apply for a meter via the Teachernet site: www.teachernet.gov.uk/energydisplaymeter.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Pimlico Academy

• Pimlico Academy in Westminster is being rebuilt as part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. The first phase of works - a new block including a sports hall and fitness suit, dining area, food and design technology rooms, ICT and business suites, and science laboratories opened in September 2009.

About Partnerships for Schools (PfS)

• 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.

About British Gas

• British Gas, the biggest energy supplier in the country and part of the Centrica group of companies, has the lowest carbon intensity of any of the major UK energy suppliers in terms of tonnes of CO² emitted per megawatt hour of electricity supplied to customers. For more information go to: www.britishgas.co.uk
• Generation Green is British Gas's nationwide schools programme designed to empower teachers, schools and their local communities to tackle climate change through greener behaviour, with over a third of UK schools already benefiting from the programme. For more information go to: www.generationgreen.co.uk

About Bouygues UK

• Bouygues UK is a subsidiary of Bouygues Construction - a world-leading construction and services group. The company provides a fully integrated design, build, finance and operate service across a broad range of sectors with a particular focus on education, healthcare, housing and commercial as well as urban regeneration and property development.