Find out more about the Energy Display Meter
The perfect tool for teaching smart energy usage
Schools account for around 2% of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions, about 9.4 million
tonnes of CO2 equivalent each year, 37% of which comes from electricity
usage.
Early in 2008, the Secretary of State, Ed Balls, appointed a new task force to advise
on action all UK schools could take to reduce energy usage. Being able to accurately
measure and monitor energy usage is an essential part of this goal and is raising
awareness and changing behaviours.
All this is made possible through the Energy Display Meter which links to your school's
PC network to show realtime information about electricity use on your school's PCs.
The information provided is designed to help embed sustainability and energy awareness
throughout the curriculum.
The Energy Display Meter's features
Real time energy monitoring
Track and display your school's electricity usage in real time. See the impact of
turning equipment on/off and immediately witness the results of any energy saving
measures.
Compare energy usage results
Make direct comparisons of energy usage to see if you are using more or less than
the day, week or month before. Observe trends and encourage smart energy usage.
Set targets for your school
Use the customisable settings to define your own energy usage targets for your school.
The display will then show your pupils if you are using less or more energy than
targets.
Customisable settings
The perfect aid to teaching smart energy usage. Set the level of detail with our
'Primary' or 'Secondary' school settings and customise your Energy Display Meter
to meet the educational requirements of your class or school.
Why are we making this offer?
The Department for Education (then Department for Children, Schools and Families)
and Ed Balls, then Secretary of State, set ambitious targets for reducing carbon
emissions attributed to schools. They established the Zero Carbon Task Force to
advise on action that can be taken now to reduce energy usage in all school buildings,
not just new ones.
The first of these recommendations is that schools should be able to accurately
measure and monitor their energy usage, so they can take appropriate action to reduce
it.
The Energy Display Meters offer is the first step in a more wide-ranging set of
measures focused on behaviour change and carbon management in schools which will
be rolled out by the DfE over the course of 2010.
Click here (PDF, 338k) to see how one local authority is promoting its carbon reduction
commitments with schools, pupils and teachers across the county through initiatives
such as the free Energy Display Meter offer which will raise sustainability awareness.
How to apply for an Energy Display Meter
The Meters are being provided and installed free of charge by British Gas, on behalf
of the DfE.
When you apply, you will be asked to agree that your school will actively engage
in programmes and activities designed to raise awareness about smart energy usage.
We will commit to providing you with projects, guidance and resources to help you
encourage energy efficient behaviours and promote sustainability across your school.
You will need a PC that you can plug into the Meter, to allow you to display and
use the data it collects.
First come, first served
British Gas will aim to install your meter within three months of receiving your
completed application. If demand is high, you may need to wait a little longer,
so apply now to make sure you get yours as soon as possible.