Reducing school C O2 output by 10%

Chaucer – Cummins UK Engineering Education Scheme project

The project outline was set by Cummins UK:

· The aim of the project was to reduce the Carbon Emissions at Chaucer by 10 %.

· Through researching existing energy issues at CTS and then setting short and longer term targets to reduce the energy use by enough to gain a 10% CO2 reduction.

· The first meeting introduced the Chaucer Technology School team to the Cummins staff and especially Thomas and Mark who would be working with the team.

· The initial aim was to have gathered as much information about existing energy usage at Chaucer Technology School, before the 3 days at UKC, and where there was potential wastage that could be tackled.Initial Research and UKC days

· We worked with the Finance office at CTS to collect as much Data and information as possible. We managed to get Electricity breakdowns to weeks, days and hours but the Oil and Gas usage was much harder to break down into small parts. We managed to separate the fuel consumptions which gave us much better data to work with.

· We also collected research information about renewable and energy efficient products that were available at the moment. Some of this was limited but the Solar and Wind energy information was really helpful and in depth. We could work out things like feed in tariffs, Initial capital costs and if the site was suitable for these technologies.

· We completed an on line audit with SEGAM to check the suitability of both wind and solar energy. This information gave us details such as wind quality in the area and sunshine hours for the Canterbury area.

·All this information we took to UKC for the 3 workshop days. Some of the group worked on this with Cummins engineers and it was used to produce evidence details for the report. This has been used further for our conclusions and recommendations. It was this information that allowed us to further research and look at fine details for the report.

· The rest of the group worked on building the model to explain the current and potential future energy usage.

Now:

· We have produced a report that has included our initial findings and the up to date information used to build the recommendations case. This was the basis for a funding bid to Salix to implement the recommendations.

· Through the help of Mark Bargent, Cummins UK we have become involved with Greenshoots Energy consultants. They have taken our findings and put together a plan and bid for funding to install a series of energy efficient equipment. This includes Bio Mass boilers, Voltage optimisers to reduce the electricity use, LED lighting and possible double glazing. Recently we heard that we a had been successful in securing two, 5 year interest free, loans from Salix, totalling £235k, to implement the first phase of our recommendations. It is hoped new Bio Mass Boilers and a voltage optimisation system will be in place for the start of the new school year. The school will be over £80k per annum better off, have a 50% reduction in C O2 emissions and pay back the loan in full within 3 years. As a group we have also recommended that parts of the school could be suitable for a Rent a Roof scheme for Solar Panels to reduce electricity use. Further investigation into this is taking place at the moment.

· To seek out further funding to replace all of our energy rich systems and appliances on a rolling programme.

What was in it for us the students?

· The chance to work on a real world project that could help the school save money and be used to educate students and the community at the same time.

· The chance to experience higher education type work. Visiting industry and university.

· It will stretch our knowledge further of energy issues and the environment.

· Working as part of a team with people from industry gives a great insight to how the world of work operates and potential career routes.

· It will be excellent on CVs, job and university applications.

· To do something different in an area that was outside our comfort zones.