Schools’ Energy Management Strategy, 2013 Summary · · 2013-07-30Schools will be supported through all stages of the EnMS, but our main focus will be on encouraging them to:

Final draft, May 2013

Schools’ Energy Management Strategy, 2013

Summary Oxfordshire County Council encourages all schools in the county to actively manage their energy consumption. Schools which do so reduce their carbon footprint and save money. This strategy sets out:

what we would like schools to do to manage their energy;

how we will support schools to do this.

We already offer much free support to all schools to monitor energy consumption and save money. We also provide low interest energy saving loans to maintained schools. We have done this for several years and are now reviewing how this will change as schools become academies. In principle, we will:

continue to support maintained schools through our Property and Facilities framework contract;

continue to provide some services to all schools free of charge;

ensure that a full range of support is available to academies though the commercial market place.

Contents

1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 2

2 Schools Energy Management Strategy, 2013 ........................................................... 3

3 Benefits of implementing the Strategy ....................................................................... 3

4 Delivering the energy management support ............................................................. 5

4.1 Energy management support to maintained schools .......................................... 5

4.2 Energy management support to academies ....................................................... 5

Box 1 Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) ............... 6

4.3 Linking schools and communities ....................................................................... 6

5 Strategy Delivery and Governance ........................................................................... 6

Table 1 Schools’ Energy Management Strategy: outcomes and support available through OCC and partners .............................................................................................. 7

Table 2 Provision of energy management support to schools and academies ....... 14


Final draft May 2013 Page | 2

1 Introduction

There are many reasons for reducing energy consumption. Saving money and reducing carbon footprints are two of them. Oxfordshire County Council has set itself an overall objective to keep energy costs as close to 2010/11 levels as is cost effective for the next five years. For the past two years our energy work with schools has been guided by the Schools’ Carbon Reduction Strategy. During this time:

All schools have had an energy survey and a follow up report suggesting steps they could take to reduce their energy use.

90% of schools have had automatic meter readers fitted to their gas and electricity meters. These schools can now view their energy use online and identify opportunities to make savings.

More than thirty schools have taken advantage of low or interest free energy efficiency loans available from OCC. In total they have saved more than 700,000 kWh, over £90,000.

Although many schools have already taken steps to manage their energy use, meeting the OCC energy objective will be challenging. Energy prices are rising rapidly. Schools spent 2.6% more on energy in 2011/12 than in the previous year (figure 1). A consultation in November 2012 showed that we need to do more to encourage schools to act on the recommendations in the energy surveys. We also need to make sure that schools understand the financial benefits of monitoring and managing energy use. Schools already monitoring their energy use may need further help to interpret and act on the information. How we will support schools to meet the OCC objective is set out in the Schools’ Energy Management Strategy, 2013. Figure 1 Savings needed to keep energy costs at 2010/11 levels

Source: OCC energy review, 2012

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16

Electricity % savings

Plannedinvestmentsavings

"Banked"savings

Requiredsavings 0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

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40%

2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16

Schools gas % savings



2 Schools Energy Management Strategy, 2013

Energy costs are rising. Actively managing energy use will help schools reduce waste and keep costs as close to 2010/11 levels as far as is cost effective for the next five years. Whilst it is clear that energy management must be led by individual schools, OCC will ensure that support and guidance is widely available to all schools. We will encourage schools to put in place an energy management system (EnMS) by following the pathway shown in Figure 2. Schools will be supported through all stages of the EnMS, but our main focus will be on encouraging them to:

i. Use monitoring data to identify opportunities to reduce energy use;

ii. implement the recommendations and actions set out in their energy surveys;

iii. recognise and take advantage of the financial benefits of investment in energy efficiency;

iv. share experience and best practice.

3 Benefits of implementing the Strategy

There are a number of key benefits to both the County Council and schools in reducing their energy use:

Schools

Reduces energy bills paid directly by the school and offsets increasing energy costs.

Better energy measurement leads to more certain financial planning and reduces risk of unexpected costs through estimated readings.

Reduces liability for Carbon Reduction Commitment energy tax while it continues (see box 1).

More energy efficient buildings can lead to greater comfort and an improved working environment.

Opportunities to bring real life energy management into the curriculum

Creates opportunities for accreditation and recognition through award schemes such as the Eco-schools Energy award

County Council

Contributes toward:

the OCC energy strategy objective to maintain costs as near as possible to 2010/11 levels as far as is cost effective;

the longer term aim of Oxfordshire 2030 to reduce overall emissions in Oxfordshire by 50% of 2008 levels by 2050;

the Low Carbon Oxford Charter (equivalent to a 3% per year reduction in carbon emissions in our estate).



Figure 2 Energy Management Roadmap The energy management road map (below) suggests a pathway for schools to follow to achieve year on year reductions in energy use. This is the Energy Management System. The support and advice available at each step through OCC and partners is also shown.

• Sample policies on website Energy policy

• Advice on website:

• role of the energy team

• who to include / roles in the team

Energy Team

• Advice on monitoring and measuring energy use with automatic meter readers and Stark

Measure & Monitor

• Energy surveys

• Sample action plans on website

Action Plan

with targets

• Oxfordshire Green Schools Programme

• Classroom resources on website

• Low or interest free loans

• Advice on repairs and upgrades

Implement

behaviour change & building management

Report on progress

• Advice on Ecoschools awards

• Networking and information sharing

Celebrate and share success!

Review

• Support and advice Steps to an Energy

Management System



4 Delivering the energy management support

OCC and Carillion Capita Symonds provide three broad areas of support to help schools manage their energy use.

i. Monitoring and metering (including installation of automatic meter readers; benchmarking and monitoring to identify sites with greatest potential for energy savings)

ii. Energy efficiency projects (eg, installation of energy efficient lighting, biomass boilers)

iii. Educational resources (currently delivered through the Oxfordshire Green Schools Programme).

We currently provide most of these services to all schools without charge. How we will deliver this support in the future reflects changes in school status (from maintained schools to academies) and changes to the Carbon Reduction Commitment (box 1).

4.1 Energy management support to maintained schools

We will continue to offer energy management support to maintained schools as we do at present. This includes:

educational resources (currently provided by Oxfordshire Green Schools);

advice and information (within the agreement of the framework contract);

monitoring and metering (including benchmarking and identification of sites likely to benefit most from appropriate energy management activities);

capital investment in energy efficiency measures through the schools structural maintenance programme. We will support Carillion to integrated these measures into the wider programme and to take a whole-school approach where possible.

providing energy efficiency loans for suitable projects which are not funded through the schools maintenance programme. These projects may be identified through benchmarking or requested by schools.

supporting schools to achieve the Eco Schools green flag and energy awards.

4.2 Energy management support to academies

Much of our offer to maintained schools will also be available to academies until April 2014 when all schools will be taken out of the CRC scheme. We are not able to offer energy efficiency loans to academies, but will continue to publicise alternative funding options. From April 2014, we will continue to provide educational resources to academies without charge. We will support Carillion to develop and market an effective energy management package directly to academies.



Details are set out in Table 2.

4.3 Linking schools and communities

We will support schools and communities to share their expertise and best practice in energy management. We will also encourage schools and communities to work together to take advantage of opportunities to invest in and benefit from renewable technologies.

5 Strategy Delivery and Governance

The Schools’ Environment & Energy Strategy Officer will coordinate the development of an annual delivery plan and communications plan informed by the Schools Energy Management strategy. These plans will be developed with input from the Schools Forum where appropriate. . Progress against these plans and on energy reduction in schools will be reported to the Schools Forum at agreed intervals, and elsewhere as appropriate. The effectiveness of this Strategy, including a consultation with schools, will be reviewed in Summer 2016.

For further information contact: Sarah Gilbert, Environment & Energy Strategy Officer (schools) Oxfordshire County Council: [email protected], 01865 815499

Box 1 Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC)

The CRC is a mandatory carbon emissions scheme that aims to increase energy efficiency in the UK. Since April 2010 Oxfordshire County Council, as a large scale energy consumer, has been reporting on energy use across its estate, including schools. First payments of the energy tax were made in May 2012 following agreement with Schools’ Forum. Schools paid the tax directly based on their energy use. The CRC charge provides a clear incentive for schools to reduce their energy use. Following changes announced recently by central government, schools and academies will not be included in the scheme from April 2014. The Department for Energy and Climate Change is expected to announce alternative energy saving incentives for schools later during 2013. The implications for schools and the support they may need to implement any new initiative will be kept under review.

Final draft, May 2013

Table 1 Schools’ Energy Management Strategy: outcomes and support available through OCC and partners

Overall Objective: schools are enabled to manage energy use and keep costs as close to 2010/11 levels as far as is cost effective

Stage of roadmap

Outcome Steps to meet this outcome Support activity required

EN

ER

GY

PO

LIC

Y

1. Schools identify

energy management

as a priority in

School Development

Planning

a) Schools are aware of rising fuel costs

and forecast increases in energy

prices

b) Schools address energy in budget

setting

c) Key stakeholders within schools are

aware of the steps to follow and the

support available to implement an

energy management system

d) Responsibility for energy management

is assigned to one or more staff roles.

Case studies setting out the business case for

prioritising energy management widely promoted and

available online.

School finance team made aware of the benefits and

promote this directly to schools.

Active communication to ensure key school staff

(governors, head teachers, site managers and finance

managers) are aware of the support (financial and

otherwise) available to them.




Stage of roadmap


Mo

nit

ori

ng

an

d m

ete

rin

g

2. Schools measure

and understand their

energy use

a) Schools understand the benefits of

measuring their energy use

b) Schools regularly measure and

monitor their energy use (both in cost

and kilowatt hours)

c) Schools benchmark and analyse

patterns of energy use and take

corrective action for unnecessary

peaks

Completion of Automatic Meter Reader programme

and promotion of benefits of additional meters in

appropriate sites (costs to be met by schools)

Training sessions and an online information library

support schools to use software and interpret energy

data and patterns of use.

Benefits of Stark software widely communicated to

schools through case studies and further training

offered as appropriate. OCC/Carillion will also evaluate

other communication channels (eg online training

module).

Benchmarking is used to help schools and OCC

compare their performance to those in similar building

types and with similar usage.

Schools are provided with regular energy reports




Stage of roadmap


Ac

tio

n p

lan

/ e

nerg

y t

ea

m /

ta

rge

ts 3. Schools identify the

actions they can

take to reduce their

energy use and

create an action plan

with targets as part

of their School

Development Plan

a) Schools understand the priority steps

necessary to reduce their energy use

and cost (both through behaviour

change and investment in projects

within the school building)

b) Schools create an action plan and set

up a team to lead on energy

management

c) Schools embed the action plan into the

school management systems to

ensure ongoing progress and

accountability

Schools signposted to the factsheets and online

information library available on the school carbon

webpages to include examples of energy action plans

and advice on reducing energy across different areas

of the schools estate.




Stage of roadmap


Imp

lem

en

tati

on

: fi

nan

ce

4. Schools understand

the business case

for investment in

energy efficiency

projects and are

aware of available

finance

a) Schools understand the financial

benefit of no and low cost approaches

to energy reduction through behaviour

change of building users

b) Schools invest in energy efficiency

measures

c) Schools are aware of any grant

schemes available for energy

efficiency and are able to access them

Fully costed case studies made available to promote

the financial benefits of energy efficiency projects.

Schools advised of no cost/ low cost approaches to

energy reduction highlighted within surveys

Funding / loan opportunities (e.g. Salix / Prudential

borrowing) collated and communicated through local

case studies, example templates and workshops where

appropriate.

County Council includes schools in a framework to

access capital investment for renewable energy

projects where appropriate (provided by incentives

such as Feed In Tariffs and Renewable Heat Incentive)




Stage of roadmap


Imp

lem

en

tati

on

: te

ch

no

log

y

5. Schools invest in

and use low carbon

technology

effectively

a) Schools receive advice about

appropriate technology for their

building

b) Schools utilise energy saving features

on existing equipment effectively

c) Schools understand the return on

investment from renewable

installations relative to other possible

activities in their buildings

d) Schools are aware of the energy

consumption rating of new or

replacement items they purchase

Schools are offered training and support for utilising

their technologies.

Advice is provided on managing ICT energy use

Information on energy efficiency implications in

procurement is made available to schools.

Schools that have already undertaken energy efficiency

work, or have made a formal commitment to undertake

energy efficiency work, are given practical advice about

the application of renewable energy to their site.

Communities and schools are supported to work

together to invest in and benefit from renewable

technologies.

Co

mm

un

ica

tio

n &

aw

are

ne

ss

6. Schools use their

own carbon footprint

to integrate energy

efficiency and

climate change into

the curriculum

a) Schools design curriculum activities

that are action orientated and

contribute to a reduction in carbon

emissions.

b) Pupils understand how they can make

a difference to their school carbon

footprint and take action.

County Council provides a resource to support schools

to integrate their own carbon footprint into the

curriculum (eg, the Oxfordshire Green Schools

programme).

County Council collates information on resources and

activities to support energy reduction themes.




Stage of roadmap


Co

mm

un

ica

tio

n

7. Schools share best

practice and

knowledge, and

achieve recognition

for their success

a) Schools communicate aims and

actions for energy reduction

throughout the whole school

community

b) Schools are enabled to share and

learn from best practice across the

Oxfordshire community

Schools are able to use online tools to communicate

and share best practice with other schools.

County Council produces case studies of local best

practice in energy reduction relevant to different

school settings and building types.

County Council signposts schools to award

opportunities, including the Eco-schools stand alone

energy award




Stage of roadmap


Des

ign

/ P

olic

y

8. Carbon impacts are

considered when

introducing

overarching policies

affecting schools

and in repair and

maintenance /

construction

a) Schools consult the Carillion Energy Team when proposing any repair/ maintenance or building project to understand the carbon implications

Advice is provided to schools on the carbon

implications of their self managed building and

maintenance projects.

Funding secured to incorporate energy efficiency

measures in repairs, upgrades and building work

managed through the Schools Structural

Maintenance Programme

Discussions with Property Asset Management and

the Children, Education and Families directorate to

understand and advise on potential carbon impact

of changes in policy.

Energy team liaises with other areas of County

Council schools sustainability support to ensure

work is joined up where appropriate (e.g. Travel

Plans Team, waste education etc).

* Details of support activities to be agreed in form of service level agreement



Table 2 Provision of energy management support to schools and academies

Energy management area Maintained schools Academies

Current support Future offer Current support Future offer

Building design and build Through Property & Facilities contract Through Carillion direct offer

Building repairs and upgrades Through Property & Facilities contract Through Carillion direct offer

Energy efficiency loans Available through the County Council Existing loans can be novated to academy trusts on conversion. New loans not available.

Not available to academies through OCC Alternative funding sources monitored and where appropriate publicised to academies to negotiate directly. Carillion direct offer available for scoping energy efficiency projects

Procurement of energy supply Through framework contract with Laser

Academies encouraged to stay within framework.

Bill checks and validation Through Carillion energy bureau. Validation not currently offered to academies who receive bills directly from the supplier (even if within framework)

Renewables OCC renewables framework agreement available to all schools

Can make use of the OCC renewables framework agreement. Encourage link with communities





Automatic meter readers: Currently on five year lease from Stark. OCC responsibility to maintain and meet costs of upkeep

To be kept under review

As maintained schools for remainder of 5 year contract

No further OCC commitment. Academies can liaise directly with Stark

Additional meters No OCC funding available, but benefits of additional meters promoted

No OCC funding available, but benefits of additional meters promoted to academies

Replacement / maintenance

Within contract To be kept under review

Available for remainder of contract, then becomes academy responsibility

Not available .

Data interpretation / advice

Available through Carillion contract

Available through Carillion contract (but kept under review)

Carillion direct offer

AMR training Available through contract

Available through Carillion direct offer

Other energy management training

As above As above

Educational resource

Available through OCC (currently Oxfordshire Green Schools Programme)

Available through OCC (currently Oxfordshire Green Schools Programme)

Ecoschools OCC officer support available OCC officer support available

Ecoschools energy award Award promoted by OCC Award promoted by OCC

Energy audits Carillion feasibility surveys. Within contract

As current Carillion direct offer Carillion direct offer





Information sharing network yes yes Yes yes

Conference…. yes Yes yes Yes

Display Energy Certificates Cost met this year by OCC

Cost to be met by school

Cost met by academy Cost met by academy

CRC reporting Within contract Within contract Within contract for remainder of phase 1

Any future CRC or alternative incentive, any support will be through Carillion direct offer

New DECC incentives to replace CRC

Keep under review Ongoing review n/a Any support would be through Carillion direct offer

GHG reporting Within contract Within contract Within contract for remainder CRC phase 1

Academy responsibility. Possible support through Carillion direct offer

Schools’ Energy Management Strategy, 2013 Summary · · 2013-07-30Schools will be supported through all stages of the EnMS, but our main focus will be on encouraging them to:

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