The Enviroschools Foundation is working in partnership with NERI (National Energy Research Institute) and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) to develop an information resource for energy managers in schools. This type of resource is not available elsewhere and there is a clear need for it.
While several organisations, such as EECA, already provide information and tools to support energy management in homes and businesses, a specific resource for school principals, trustees and executive officers has not been developed to date. Schools have specific energy management needs, such as working out a budget and timeframe for replacing the old coal burner, engaging both students and staff in monitoring and comparing energy expenditure from year to year, and developing a plan for reducing transport energy costs in the school community. But energy management, and planning for changes to energy technologies and sources in schools, takes time and there is not a lot of that spare in schools. This collaborative project aims to make the job a bit easier.
The school energy managers’ booklet project is led by NERI in partnership with The Enviroschools Foundation and EECA, with an advisory group including representatives from the Ministry of Education, NZ School Trustees’ Association, NZEI, a professional energy manager, a secondary school principal, an Education for Sustainability educator and energy educators. The booklet will be available at the end of November 2007.
