Department of Education

A lesson in energy savings from schools

Energy performance summary: 

• Proportion of overall Government energy use - 26%
• Energy efficiency achieved - 13%
• GreenPower purchased - 10%
• Estimated greenhouse gas savings - 96,639 tonnes (equivalent to 8053 homes or 22,318 cars off the road)

The Department of Education (DoE) has been one of Victoria's largest natural resource consumers and waste producers.  It includes over 1,600 schools, along with one corporate office and nine regional offices.

In 2005, the Department of Education detailed its approach to sustainability in its The Way Forward strategy. A major focus was helping schools and its corporate and regional offices to increase their energy efficiency.

Case Study:

A 'Quick Wins' program kicked off energy saving initiatives in DoE offices and schools, building knowledge and momentum for future projects. 

Why we acted

The size and extent of DoE's operations in 2005 (when it also included TAFEs) presented numerous opportunities to save energy - but also many challenges.

"We give schools effective tools and information and highlight the benefits of taking action - including student learning opportunities, financial savings and greenhouse gas reductions," said DoE's Environment Sustainability Officer, Caroline Evans.

"We've estimated schools can save an average of $4,000 a year on energy costs, and a minimum of $2,000. Aside from environmental benefits, if all schools achieved this target at least $3.2 million would be saved."

DoE's role as a public educator was also important. "A quarter of Victoria's population directly or indirectly has contact with schools," said Caroline. "Raising awareness and knowledge of staff, students and parents can influence the broader community."

What we did

Quick Wins was a two year program that provided 'energy saving examples' to schools and prompted them to take action.
Key Quick Wins initiatives included:

• Energy upgrade project - energy audits were conducted and energy efficient equipment installed at 36 high energy user schools. A further 18 schools will have participated in this project by the end of 2007
• Save Energy @ School - this CD was developed by DoE and provided to all schools. The CD contains primary and secondary curriculum resources focusing on energy and the environment as well as information on ways to reduce energy use for teachers and school managers
• School shut down guide - this guide accompanies the Save Energy @ School CD and provides a checklist of opportunities as well as procedures for ensuring electrical equipment is switched off when not needed
• Energy busters - this program of initiatives included workshops that helped build knowledge and skills of school staff in energy management as well as their ability to transfer these skills to others

The benefits

Quick Wins helped DoE to significantly reduce its energy consumption.  In 2005/2006, DoE consumed 12.6 per cent less energy compared to 2000.  About a quarter of this saving was achieved by the key Quick Wins projects outlined above.

"While we fell short of the Victorian Government's 15 per cent target, for a large department including so many autonomous sites, the improvements represent a significant achievement," said Caroline.  

"It's expected that Quick Wins projects are saving up to 35.2 million MJ of energy every year - that's the equivalent energy use of approximately 540 homes."

Spin offs

Quick Wins prompted DoE to develop tools specifically to help schools save energy.

For example, with school energy audits often identifying similar energy management solutions, DoE worked with an engineering company to develop the Tool for Replication of Energy Efficiency in Schools (TREES).

"TREES is a user-friendly software tool that allows schools to conduct their own energy audit and identify cost effective ways to save energy," said Caroline. "It can also be incorporated into the curriculum so students learn to read energy bills, quantify energy use and take actions to reduce energy use."  TREES has been distributed to all Victorian schools from September 2007.

The future

DoE intends to review its sustainability strategy by the end of 2007, including its Quick Wins program.

"We learned a lot from Quick Wins, and a key focus of our review is identifying energy saving activities that can be applied both at the DoE corporate level and by all schools to continue to increase our energy efficiency," said Caroline.

Top | Last updated 15/06/2011