Maine Green Schools' - Saving Energy Costs and Helping the Environment
THE SAVING ENERGY & MONEY IN SCHOOLS WORKSHOP on April 18th - was a big sucess with over 60 school energy managers in attendance. Download any of the many useful presentations by Efficiency Maine energy efficiency professionals by clicking on this link. There are TONs of exciting new ideas for saving energy and money in your schools in these presentations. No school can afford to ignore the rising costs of energy that we're facing. It's great to know that you can reduce your energy costs and help the environment too!
During the lunchtime ceremonies at the workshop, DEPs Commissioner David Littell recognised the 7 Maine schools who have completed their GREENHOUSE GAS ENERGY USE SURVEY (see list below) in Spring 2008. Also, download the MGS - school energy management spreadsheet that your school can use to track energy improvements and emission reductions as you explore ways to save money. If you'd like to earn DEP recognition for your energy efficiency work later - in fall 2008 read more about how to participate in this project...
SCHOOLS THAT HAVE COMPLETED A GHG SURVEY:
Bath Public Schools
Lewiston Public Schools
Raymond School Department
Rockland's, Mid-Coast School of Technology
SAD 3, Thorndike, Unity, Troy, Brooks, Monroe,
Liberty, Freedom, Montville , Knox, Jackson and Waldo
SAD 8, Vinalhaven
SAD 9, Farmington, Wilton, Chesterville, New Vineyard, Industry, New Sharon, Vienna
SCHOOLS SIGNED UP TO PARTICIPATE IN GHG ENERGY USE SURVEY:
SAD 56, Searsport, Frankfort, Stockton Springs
SAD 48, Newport, Corrinna, Hartland, Palmyra, St Albans
Waldo County Technical Center
CaribouSchool Department
Region Two School of Applied Technology
Limestone Community School
Lisbon School Department (Union 30)
Union 87, Orono & Veazy
Waterville Public Schools
Rangeley Lakes Regional School
SAD 25, Stacyville
Wells-Ogunquit Community School District
Westbrook School Department
Wiscassett School Department
The MAINE GREEN SCHOOLS - Energy Use/Greenhouse Gas Survey project is a collaborative effort between Maine DEP Bureau of Air Quality and the Maine Energy Education Program (MEEP). Schools have the potential for significant energy efficiency improvements that can reduce their energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to climate change impacts. Through this project we hope to provide technical assistance to Maine schools in identifying their emissions from energy use and to help highlight opportunities that will reduce schools' operational costs. The schools listed below are recognized as leaders in the state for their efforts to improve energy efficiency by participating in this project.
RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO SCHOOLS :
* Overview
* How to get started
* Links
EXAMPLES OF THE KINDS OF ENERGY SAVINGS IN MAINE SCHOOLS INCLUDE:
Lewiston's Light Harvesting technology provides computer controlled bank lighting in classrooms. When the sunlight is bright the lights are dimmed automatically. Occupancy (motion) sensors in classrooms also turn lights off automatically when the classrooms are not in use. These lighting strategies help to reduce the electricity consumption and save money.
Bath Middle School reported saving over 9,000 gallons of heating fuel during the fall of 2007 (Sept-Dec.) after installing a new burner control system. The new system has auto flame control with variable frequency drive; this uses the most efficient mix of air and fuel for the amount of ventilation needed at the time. The school has saved over $20,000 and prevented over 200,000 lbs of carbon dioxide emissions.
Efficiency Maine provided each of these two schools with technical assistance to identify efficiency opportunities as well as funding to assist them with implementation. In 2008 there is a special Budget Boosters Initiative available to Maine schools for such innovations. (See link below.)
OVERVIEW OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR SCHOOLS
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Maine Green Schools' Voluntary Energy Use - GHG survey of energy use at Maine schools is a great way to get started looking at energy efficiency in schools. The purpose of the survey is simply to document the baseline energy use associated with schools and buildings in Maine. Your school is not obligated to make a commitment beyond that - but we think you'll see the opportunities and benefits in reducing school overhead costs.
Once you've measured your energy use you can prioritize and plan to save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and gain recognition as a leader in energy efficiency.
By having a clear picture of your school's energy use, managers can identify opportunities to reduce their operating costs and be ready to apply for energy efficiency funding when it becomes available.
By using DEPs carbon calculator spreadsheet, school will have documented a baseline year of energy use that allows them to measure and compare reductions in following years. Facility and business managers will receive a report to present to school management that will help justify investments in reducing energy costs and saving money.
GETTING STARTED:
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Step 1 download excel spreadsheet;
Step 2 enter fuel use and electricity data;
Step 3 create an energy efficiency improvements wish list;
Step 4 generate report to document energy management needs for administration;
Step 5 contact Efficiency Maine to see if you qualify for financial and technical assistance.
Step 6 update spreadsheet each year to document savings and emission reduction trends.
Data on heating fuel, electricity, refrigerant/coolants, and transportation fuel are the main focus of this survey. Additional emission factors for waste and water mangement can be estimated using the EPAs Climate Check Spreadsheet (listed in the web resources links at the bottom of this page).
Don't have time or computer skills to enter data into the spreadsheet? DEP/ MEEP technical assistance is available upon request for any school interested in getting help entering their first year's data into the spreadsheet. Upon completion of the survey and providing the data to us, you will be provided with a summary report that will help to identify and prioritize energy saving projects that you think would help to save money in operating costs. A final report will be provided to each school energy manager and superintendent to document your results. The spreadsheet with baseline (year one) data will be provided to you and is a valuable tool to document your energy savings from year to year. It does all the calculations for you and automatically creates graphs to help you explain the results to other school officials.
DOWNLOAD THIS EXCEL spreadsheet to record and graph your energy use data and estimate the greenhouse gases from your energy efficiency improvements. This form lists all the required information on seven worksheet tabs. It automatically adds it all up and creates graphs for you to use.
Start by filling out the monthly stationary and mobile source fuel use and electricity data. Collecting monthly data will provide a more accurate survey of your buildings' energy use and prepare you for a walk-though energy audit, if you choose to have one in the future.
Contact DEP to learn more: Maine DEP or call 207-287-2437 and ask Rachel Thompson how she can help you to get started.
Energy Efficiency Assistance for Maine Schools
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( Links below are offsite and will open in a new window.)
Efficiency Maine's (EM) Business Program provides financial assistance for implementing electricity improvements as well as solar thermal applications. In the past few year's a number of Maine schools have reported significant reductions in their electricity bill by installing lighting retrofits (more efficient lamp systems, occupancy sensors and computerized selective lighting programs) and energy efficiency pumps, drives and motors on heating and ventilation equipment.
The 2008 Budget Boosters initiative doubles existing incentives for schools for energy efficiency projects related to electricity use. Interested schools should contact EM as soon as possible to be eligible for participation in this new initiative. All work must be preapproved by EM consultants as to eligibility for incentives.
http://www.efficiencymaine.org/business_programsBooster.htm
MORE WEB RESOURCES:
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Another tool for calculating Greenhouse Gas Emissions
EPA CLIMATE CHECK SOFTWARE FOR SCHOOLS
http://epa.gov/climatechange/index.html
What Can Schools Do to Reduce Emissions (Save Energy)
US EPA - What You Can Do
http://epa.gov/climatechange/index.html
Following the lead of Businesses reducing GHG emissions
Cool Companies: Joseph Romm, author of the book, COOL Companies, provides numerous suggestions to help businesses save money by reducing energy use.
Rocky Mountain Institute Excellent info on saving energy and emissions
