Scheme:
Phase 1 Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
Technologies used:
Solar PV, LED lighting, Insulation - building fabric, Air source heat pump
Region:
London
Client type:
Local authority
London Borough of Hounslow
Key information
Estimated savings
£250k
Annual savings
£7.6M
Total grant value
1,264
Annual carbon savings tCO2e*
Working with Salix
Project overview
As part of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), The London Borough of Hounslow Council has been awarded £7,647,689 to implement decarbonisation measures across 33 of its primary schools.
The council declared a climate emergency in July of 2019 and worked to formulate a strategy to tackle the crisis via its climate emergency action plan, which set an ambitious net zero by 2030 target.
Following the discovery that schools accounted for 70% of Hounslow’s carbon emissions, the council’s Energy Team set out to make its schools the greenest in London.
The funding, provided by the Department of Business, Energy and Industry Strategy (BEIS) and delivered by Salix Finance, has allowed the Council to extend its school-wide energy efficiency programme with a focus on heat decarbonisation.
We are committed to reducing the carbon footprint of children’s learning across the borough and this funding will go a long way in helping us achieve that. Tackling climate change here in Hounslow is vital and we’re committed to getting a head start.
Technical Breakdown
Work commenced with the introduction of electrical infrastructure upgrades and smart metering to ensure that the low carbon technologies were able to run effectively.
Following this, air source heat pumps (ASHP) have been implemented across all 33 schools and act as their main source of heating. Introducing building fabric upgrades and piping insulation has helped further reduce emissions and energy costs by limiting heat loss.
In addition, solar PV has been installed across 27 of the schools, with 11 schools implementing LED lighting. Both measures ensure that the electricity consumption from the heat pumps is offset.
Eco-schools
Hounslow Council is also seeking to increase the efficiency of the staff and student experience by promoting sustainable modes of transportation, reducing waste by increasing recycling rates, and composting food waste.
It is also encouraging students to join the eco-schools programme, which enables them to learn about key environmental topics from biodiversity to energy and global citizenship. The children are also able to partake in activities such as litter picking, planting vegetable gardens, and monitoring the school’s energy and water use.
February 2022
*tonnes of Carbon Dioxide, calculated using Green Book emissions factors for electricity published by the government.
In Partnership with
