Enistic monitoring and software solutions are the backbone of the energy management system at Okehampton College which has helped the school save £40,000 a year on energy costs.
Efficient real-time monitoring of energy use gave Keith Webber, energy manager at the school in Devon, the data he needed to conduct analyses and initiate a comprehensive programme of energy efficiency and renewable energy measures.
The school embarked on an ambitious mission to cut the College’s annual energy utilities bill from £100,000 to zero in 2008. The programme included energy saving initiatives such as improved insulation and boilers, double glazing and low energy lights as well as a behaviour campaign, alongside investment in solar PV, biomass heating and a wind turbine.
To date (March 2015), the school has cut gas consumption by 70%, electricity by 60% and energy bills by £40,000. Achievements made while the school itself has expanded.
Using Enistic meters and software, the College has created an energy dashboard showing energy generation, consumption and the cost per hour. Keith Webber said that: “If you want to get energy use under control, you have to be able to measure it in the first place.”
“Measurement is vital. Monitoring is always the starting point. You have to look at where the energy is going to first. Then you can identify how to make savings.”
Using two Enistic SUB3 meters to measure the mains inputs into the school and a Pulse Meter to measure the Solar PV generation, Okehampton College could track both consumption and generation in real-time.
The data collected from the meters flows straight into Enistic Energy Manager Software where the facilities team and the students can view real-time dashboards of energy usage, along with costs and CO2 emissions.
When renewable energy supply outstrips demand, Enistic meters measure the electricity sent back to the grid.
The pupils (age 11 – 18) are also involved throughout the curriculum as well as during after school activities. They use the Enistic equipment to measure and monitor energy use and track down waste, when and where it is happening, so they can take action to reduce it.
Keith Webber commented: “Many large schools are spending between £100,000 and £200,000 a year on energy. At one point our energy bills at Okehampton were approaching £100,000 a year. But through better management and a package of energy efficiency measures we have achieved savings in the region of £40,000 a year.
“A very important feature is being able to display every use in real- time. This is where systems such as the one offered by Enistic can prove very helpful. It allows inappropriate and excessive use to be identified and dealt with..”
Monitoring and ESOS compliance
Many schools, colleges and universities will need to implement energy monitoring to comply with new ESOS (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme) Regulations which take effect on 5th December 2015.
Darryl Mattocks, managing director of Enistic said: “For many schools, especially those in the Independent sector, as well as colleges and universities, efficient monitoring and reporting has become a necessity to comply with ESOS Regulations.
“Our Easy ESOS service is designed to make it easy for organisations to comply within the deadline. Starting with a free, no obligation ESOS scoping meeting we can conduct a site visit, energy audit, and help with the evidence pack for a straightforward route to compliance.”
