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Social networking helps schools save energy

Date: Wednesday 09/12/09

An innovative new social networking site is set to help 192 schools in East Sussex save energy.

 

Energy display screens will show pupils how much energy their school is using, and help them come up with action plans to save money and the planet.

 

The East Sussex County Council project will include:

• Buying a social networking tool that will assist schools in sharing ideas, solutions and problems.

• Installing smart meters for electric, gas and oil to help identify actual usage and target energy saving much more effectively.

• Using energy display screens and data sharing tools to help schools cut energy consumption and provide them with an educational resource in the classroom.

 

Funded by Improvement Efficiency South East (IESE) through the Efficiency and Transformation fund, the project will lead to sharing experience and developing partnerships with public sector organisations across the South East. Kent Count Council, Brighton and Hove City Council, West Sussex County Council, Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire and Rescue, Croydon County Council are just some of the other organisations we’ll be sharing our best practice with.

 

Every school in East Sussex will receive their displays and social networking tool by April 2010, with the ultimate aim of cutting their energy bills and their carbon footprint by enabling efficiency savings of £245,000 and 1225 tonnes of carbon dioxide over two years. As well as supporting the UK Government’s ambitions for sustainable schools, it will help us to achieve our carbon reduction targets.

 

Councillor Matthew Lock, Lead Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: “The issue of climate change isn’t going away and that means the next generations will have to deal with the consequences. This makes teaching our children and grandchildren how to be energy efficient more important than ever.

 

“By making energy saving activities fun, children will be more inclined to get involved. Saving energy saves money, and by reducing our energy use we can cut down the carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere and help combat climate change.”

 

For further information please contact:
Kathryn Langley
Tel: 01273 482155
Out of hours: 07974 427569