Energy Sparks – free online, school-specific energy analysis tool and energy education programme – compatible schools only
FAO: ALL
Please note: schools compatible for this programme need to have both Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) Technology + Access to Half Hourly Data. Schools on the corporate contract with compatible technology have been emailed directly. If unsure, please contact energy.management@enfield.gov.uk or your energy service provider to check.
Energy Sparks (https://energysparks.uk/) is a free online energy analysis tool and energy education programme specifically designed to help schools reduce their electricity and gas usage through the analysis of smart meter data. Energy Sparks helps pupils and the wider school community to reduce their school’s carbon emissions, and make a real contribution to addressing the 'climate emergency'.
Using a school’s electricity, gas and solar data, Energy Sparks shows pupils, staff and volunteers how much energy the school is using each day. The unique online tool presents bespoke analysis of the energy data with suggestions of actions the school community could take to save energy and reduce the school’s carbon emissions. Pupils, staff and community volunteers can use this information to help the school to save energy, and help protect the environment.
Energy Sparks has over 100 energy and sustainability education activities and accompanying resources which pupils can participate in through eco-teams or curriculum learning. These activities support learning about climate change and the reduction of carbon emissions, investigating energy use around the school site, taking action to reduce energy use and spreading the energy saving and carbon reduction message across the wider school community.
Energy Sparks also has over 60 adult-led actions with supporting guidance on saving energy through behaviour change, heating system configuration changes, policies, operational changes and changes to building fabric.
For a general introduction to Energy Sparks, watch this introductory video or watch this inspiring video showcasing how pupils at Saundersfoot Community Primary school have been saving energy with the support of Energy Sparks.
Energy Sparks is a registered charity and access to the online tool and education resources is currently free of charge for state schools across the UK through Energy Sparks' charitable funding. The charity is currently working with over 500 schools. Check out the adult dashboard at Ralph Allen school in Bath or the pupil dashboard at Winsley Primary School in Wiltshire see what Energy Sparks could offer your school.
Please see the attached flyer and the Energy Sparks website - https://energysparks.uk/ for further details. Participating schools are supported with free online training, free in-person education workshops and energy management mentoring.
How much energy could our school save?
Most schools participating with Energy Sparks can expect to achieve energy savings of around 10% in their first year of engagement with Energy Sparks, resulting in cost savings of between £2500 and £6000 (depending on tariffs) and 8 tonnes of CO2 based on an average 2 form entry primary school. Energy Sparks' best performing schools have achieved savings of up to 30%, generally by reducing school holiday, weekend and overnight heating use and cutting their electricity baseload. Examples of savings achieved at participating schools are provided in the Energy Sparks' Case Studies.
How do I sign up?
If you would like your school to join Energy Sparks, the head teacher, school business manager or facilities manager should complete the enrolment form at https://energysparks.uk/enrol confirming your interest. Please nominate at least one staff member to be your 'Energy Sparks champion' at your school. This individual will act as the Energy Sparks account administrator for their school, supporting pupil energy saving activities, receiving Energy Sparks alerts and newsletters and checking their school's Energy Sparks online account regularly to see their school's energy use, and what actions they need to do next. Please supply the name and email address of this staff member. They will receive an invitation directly from Energy Sparks to set up your school's online account.
Tilly Ford
Joint Interim Head of Climate Action and Sustainability