Energy and the Curriculum

Peter LongworthEnvironmental Protection Officer,

DEFA

Context

• Department of Education and Children has made major improvements in energy efficiency and reducing its CO2 emissions in recent years, but it still spends ~£2m on electricity and heating schools each year

• Energy and issues linking to Sustainability can link well to many areas of curriculum study and Eco-schools work

• There are lots of local examples and good news stories to make the topics tangible and relevant

Observed TrendsDomestic: Domestic energy consumption has increased gradually along with the rise in the number of households. According to the House Condition Survey (2007/2008), there have been significant improvements in

domestic energy efficiency between 2002 and 2008. Considerable scope still exists for insulation improvements including loft and wall insulation and draught-

proofing.

Government: Energy use by the Government sector has increased significantly, however has recently started to level off. Energy usage peaked in 2005/2006 reaching 171GWh, however dropped to 164GWh in 2008/2009. Principal reason for growth in energy usage has been the growth in infrastructure and building ownership

under Government, therefore increasing demand by Government estates. Net government emissions are down 16.5% since 2004/5

Commercial There is significant scope for development in this sector. Between 1996 and 2005 energy usage increased by nearly 100GWh Energy demand expected to remain stable for next few years, then expected to increase as the DTI will be

targeting industry much more intensely, including attending some major industry trade shows to promote the Island as a base for businesses, including Clean Tech as a business sector

MEA Total Emissions vs Output

Electricity Apportionment

Isle of Man UK

GasCoalNuclearRenewablesImportsOilOther

CO2 Emissions = 0.43kgCO2/kWh17% cleaner than UK Grid

C02 Emissions = 0.52kgCO2/kWh(DUKES 2009)

Electricity Emissions

NSC – Energy Projects

• Optimised power station heat recovery and smarter control systems have saved over £150,000 per year

Energy Projects – Power down Settings

• Changes to Government PC power down settings are saving enough electricity to power the Manx Electric Railway and the Snaefell Electric Railway

Total Project Capital Cost £0

Total Cost Savings (£/year) £60k (projected)

Electricity Saved (kWh) 467,000

Annual CO2 savings (tonnes) 201

Project Life (years) Indefinitely

Woodchip

• DEFA Plantations cover 3,000 hectares

• This could supply over 10,000 tonnes of woodchip each year

• Cost effective and fully sustainable

DEFA HQ Woodchip Boiler

Renewables in use in IOM

• Hydropower• Heat Pumps (GSHP, ASHP)• Solar Hot Water• Micro-wind• Biomass

• EfW• 15% RE by 2015 Target

Cost Resource – Total Electricity

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Annual Electrcity Production (GWh/y)

Onshore wind

AD

CHP (commercial buildings)

Of fshore wind

Small wind - public buildings

Small hydro

Solar PV

Micro CHP

Small wind - residential

Tidal lagoons

Wave

Energy ef f iciency, domestic, elec

A way to compare a range of options and their relative costs and outputsCurrent IOM Electricity demand ~450GWh/y

Cost Resource – Total Heat

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Annual HeatProduction (GWh/y)

Biomass commercial & industrial

Biomass domestic

Heat pumps

Solar thermal

Energy Ef f iciency (commercial)

Energy Ef f iciency (domestic)

Contributions and costs of range of Renewable Heat technologiesTotal IOM Space heating need is ~1000GWh/y

UK Crown Estate – Offshore Wind

• Zone 9, to our SE is licensed for over 4GW capacity in 2,200km2 zone, enough to supply ~3,000,000 homes

• Current IOM MEA Generation capacity is 0.18GW

• IOM territorial waters are 4,000km2, land area 600km2

• Scope for development in IOM waters, for which developers pay “seabed rental”

Clean Tech – test bed

• DED is promoting IOM as location for R+D of new clean-tech businesses

• over 40 clean tech companies, 8 listed on AIM. Collective valuation >£800,000,000 (Aug 2009).

• TTXGP, zero emission motorbike class

Climate Change - Adaptation

• We can mitigate against Climate Change, but also need to adapt to what’s already in train

• Infrastructure• Buildings• Wildlife• Businesses

Energy/Climate Resources

• Lots of published resources and links including lesson plans

• www.eco-schools.org.uk • www.teachernet.gov.uk/sustainableschools • www.sustainablelearning.info • www.create.org.uk/schools • www.upd8.org.uk/

Carbon Trust CTV 037

IOM Energy/Environment Data• IOM Grid electricity is significantly less carbon intensive than UK. How could it improve

further?• Pro’s and Con’s of renewables: Wind (On/Off shore), Biomass• Pro’s and Con’s of an Energy from Waste plant. Impact on recycling, avoided methane

emissions?• There are many Clean Tech Businesses registered in the Island. Would it be a good “target

market” to expand?• Homes are getting more and more energy efficient. What should houses look like in the

future? • Create an Energy Benchmark for your school, how does it compare to other schools?• Create a Green Travel Plan for your school, how would you measure its success?• There are Climate Change scenarios projected for the Isle of Man in the 2050’s and 2080’s

at www.ukcip.org.uk . What Climate Change Adaptation measures should we be thinking about now for:

– Homes and Buildings– Roads and Infrastructure– Farming and Wildlife