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Energy

This content builds on outcomes of discussions etc. from workshops and information given by institutions through a request for projects.

1. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

Research undertaken in Universities and Colleges across the world demonstrates that the burning of fossil fuels by industrialised nations has contributed to the greenhouse effect and is changing our climate. The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change (published in 2006) described climate change as threatening to be the greatest and widest-ranging market failure ever seen and pushes for collective action.

‘Above all, reducing the risks of climate change requires collective action. It requires co-operation between countries, through international frameworks that support the achievement of shared goals. It requires a partnership between the public and private sector, working with civil society and with individuals. It is still possible to avoid the worst impacts of climate change; but it requires strong and urgent collective action. Delay would be costly and dangerous.’

[taken from Executive Summary of the Stern Report Longer version]

Click here to access full Stern Report

At international level governments have agreed on the Kyoto Protocol (Japan, 1997) which involves a commitment to cut the level of greenhouse gas emissions being released to 5.2% below the levels of 1990 by 2008-2012. The UK has committed itself to achieving 12.5% below 1990 levels and has established a Climate Change Programme aiming for a 20% reduction in 1990 levels of CO2 by 2010. Draft Climate Change Bills for the UK and Scotland proposed even greater reductions of CO2 between 60 and 80% by 2050. In 2007 all 32 Local Authorities in Scotland signed up to Scotland’s Climate Change Commitment

This has resulted in greater moves by organisations including Universities and Colleges to:

Maximise the use of renewable sources of energy (e.g. biofuels, biomass (if new crops planted), hydro, geothermal, wind, solar, wave, wood (if new trees planted), tidal)
Conserve energy and water resources; and
Develop/install more energy efficient technology

Everyone working and studying in our Universities and Colleges has a responsibility to reduce the consumption of resources they use such as energy and water.

Click here for the beginners guide to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

Click here to access the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

Click here for more information on climate change at UK level

Click here for UK energy statistics in 2007

Click here for Scottish Environmental Statistics Online

Click here for more information on Scottish Governments commitments to Climate Change

Click here for information on energy consents and renewable energy in Scotland

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2. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

To help achieve the collective approaches to climate change at international and national level a range of regulatory requirements are now in place. The following are examples of what has been put in place to try and encourage a shift in behaviour:

The Climate Change Levy and Agreements
Building Regulations
Emissions Trading Scheme
Pollution Prevention and Control
Energy Performance of Buildings
Carbon Reduction Commitment

Click here to access information on all aspects of energy policy and regulations at the Department for Business and Enterprise and Regulatory Reform website

Click here for the link to the UK Statute Database for Energy Legislation

Click here for the Scotland’s Governments webpage on Energy consents and renewable

Click here to access the SEPA netregs website on energy

Click here for information on Climate Change Levy

Click here for Climate Change Agreements

Click here to access information on building regulations from the Scottish Building Standards

Click here to access information on Scottish Building Regulations from the Energy Savings Trust

Click here for defra’s information on Emissions Trading Scheme

Click here for SEPA information on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme

Click here for SEPA information on Pollution Prevention and Control which aims to prevent or minimise emissions to air, water and soil

Click here for defra’s information on Carbon Reduction Commitment

Click here for TECs guide on Carbon Reduction Commitment

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3. OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

There are a number of opportunities and challenges that have been identified by staff and students in Colleges and Universities in Scotland. Some of these are summarised below:

Institutional level

Avoid duplication in collection of data that may be required for reporting
Have good quality data on energy consumption through better monitoring and targeting
Obtain resources (capital and human) to support the development of a Climate Change Declaration for Scotland’s Colleges and Universities
Access funding to enable institutions to make changes and reduce energy consumption through energy efficient technology and alternative energy sources – particularly for older estates
Gain financial savings and reduce additional expenditure from reduced energy consumption
Raise awareness and gain commitment of senior management on the need to integrate energy costs and longer term paybacks for alternative energy options into budget planning for existing and new builds
Engage with staff and students and encourage them to take ownership
Work with research departments to reduce energy consumption
Influence behaviour of staff, students and wider community
Develop additional training and influence the curriculum

Sector initiatives

Coordinate the implementation of a Climate Change Declaration with other organisations/sectors and their commitments
Tap into national initiatives for the sector
Collaborate with other sectors
Accelerate potential energy projects that are not progressing due to a lack of funding
Help institutions improve performance
Raise the profile of those implementing best practice
Demonstrate community leadership
Provide greater focus to institutions in areas such as construction and new build, curriculum, research, Service providers and contractors
Support the development of the skills sector
Develop greater knowledge in the UK across the sector and between other sectors
Declare, publicly the commitment of all 63 colleges and universities to reducing climate change
Contribute to reducing climate change together, as a sector

4. ENERGY RELATED PROJECTS IN SCOTTISH FHE SECTOR

This section sets out examples of energy-related projects in Scottish universities and colleges. The projects are classified as follows:

Resource Management

Energy Efficiency Audit - Moray College (2006)

Energy Audit undertaken by the Green Consultancy via The Carbon Trust Energy efficiency audit.
For more information contact Doug Hartley

Procurement of Green Electricity - University of Aberdeen (2006/2007)

Procurement of green electricity through a purchasing consortium
For more information contact John Kingsland

Energy Efficiency and Building Services - Glasgow Metropolitan College (2006)

Improvements to the efficiency and consumption of Energy and Fuel through replacement and upgrading building services
For more information contact John Halpin

Water Audit - Moray College (2006)

Site survey of College sites by UCA Energy Consultants identifying water usage, possible wastage and cost savings from meter reduction etc. UCA take 45% of any savings over a 3-yr contract period.
For more information contact Doug Hartley

Water management investment programme - University of Glasgow (2006)

Envirowise case study - demonstrating the cost savings and environmental benefits of our water management investment programme.
For more information contact Albert Young

Carbon Trust Partnership - University of Glasgow (2006)

Partnership with Carbon Trust - features Glasgow in promotional literature for prospective clients.
For more information contact Albert Young

NIFES - University of Glasgow (2007)

NIFES corroborating the benefits of some of our energy efficiency investments
For more information contact Albert Young

Carbon Management Programme - University of St Andrews

Exploring possibilities of a carbon neutral university, including the consideration of travel, utilities use, waste production, fuel consumption and procurement. Numerous feasibility studies are underway.
For more information contact Roddy Yarr

Rolling fund for energy efficiency - University of St Andrews

To ensure energy efficiency measures are retrofitted in all of the university estate. Savings made on the basis of this investment is recycled back into the scheme. This is match funded by SALIX (Carbon Trust) and the University.
For more information contact Roddy Yarr

Metering - University of Strathclyde (2006/2007)

Review of utility metering across the campus with a view to implementing AMR (Automatic Meter Reading). This review incorporates a gap analysis of installed equipment, a review of installed heating distribution and electrical services, and a review of the BMS (Building Management System)
For more information contact Dean Drobot

Resource Efficient Technology

Chiller replacement - University of Strathclyde (2006/2007)

Investigating the installation of several high efficiency chillers to replace existing plant.
For more information contact Dean Drobot

Replacement of fluorescent tubes - Langside College (2006/07)

Replacement fluorescent tubes with low energy lamps
For more information contact John Pugh

Fitting of Enersol Fuel Economizers to heating systems - Moray College (2006)

Fitted 9 x Enersol Fuel Economizers to heating systems in November 2005. The Economizers are electronic devices which are intended “to make substantial savings on fuel bills and significantly reduce CO2 emissions from the boiler to the atmosphere”. Enersol “guarantee a 10% saving on each unit installed and provide a 12 month money back guarantee should the minimum saving not be achieved.”
For more information contact Doug Hartley

Alternative Sources of Energy

Biomass boiler - Barony College (2006/07)

The installation of a Biomass Boiler to provide heating and hot water to the campus. This will replace current electrical based heating system.
For more information contact Robert Marchant

District heating system - University of Strathclyde (2006/2007)

Investigating the installation of a CHP / district heating scheme on campus.
For more information contact Dean Drobot

Click here to go to the EAUC Resource Bank for more case studies and resources relating to energy

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5. SOURCES OF SUPPORT

The Department for Business and Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) main purpose is to help ensure business success in an increasingly competitive world, it’s remit includes energy which incorporates energy-related matters from production to supply. It is committed to delivering the Government’s policy goals of safe, secure and sustainable energy supplies and ultimately a low-carbon economy, through competitive and independently regulated energy markets.

Click here to access information on all aspects of energy policy and regulations at the Department for Business and Enterprise and Regulatory Reform website

Click here for the link to the UK Statute Database for Energy Legislation from the BERR website

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is Scotland’s principal environmental regulator and uses duties and powers under various legislative requirements to protect and improve the environment. For more information on legislation relating to emissions to air and energy see below.
Click here to access the SEPA netregs website on energy
Click here to access the SEPA NetRegs website on air

The Department for Environment and Rural Affairs’ (defra) mission is to enable everyone to live within their environmental means. This includes the need to tackle climate change internationally and through domestic action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Click here for the main defra website
Click here for defra website on climate change and energy
Click here for UK Climate Change Programme

The Energy Consortium (TEC) is a ‘Not for Profit’ organisation operating exclusively for the Higher and Further Education Sectors with qualified energy purchasing personnel which provide a range of energy related services for the sector.
Click here for TEC’s website

Changeworks exists to improve quality of life and to protect the environment by working in collaboration to develop and deliver innovative projects and businesses in energy, waste prevention and transport.
Click here for Changeworks website

The Carbon Trust offers products and services to help businesses including Universities and Colleges reduce its carbon emissions and accelerate the move to a future low carbon economy. They also provide a wide range of services and support for low carbon technology development.
Click here to find out more about the Carbon Trust
Click here for Carbon Trust’s Audit / Walk-round Checklist
Click here for Carbon trust’s Conversion Tools e.g. conversion factors, degree days, measuring CO2 etc
Click here for the Carbon Trust’s Action Plan Tool to help identify ways to reduce emissions and costs
Click here for the Carbon Trust’s Higher Education Carbon Management Programme
Click here for the Carbon Trust’s benchmarking tools for For offices, schools, sports centres, civil estates and hospitality premises.
Click here for the Carbon Trust’s website on Enhance Capital Allowances (ECA) Technology List. ECA provides businesses with enhanced tax relief for investments in equipment that meets published energy-saving criteria.

Connective Energy is a team involving Doosan Babcock Energy, Triodos Renewables and Carbon Trust Enterprises (commercial arm of Carbon Trust) that helps neighbouring businesses to combine resources for shared economic benefit. They pool underutilised heat generating assets between businesses, ensuring maximised efficiency, or capture heat otherwise lost to the environment. Connective Energy can develop, invest in, finance, build and operate the infrastructure required to transport the heat, which can be used in
manufacturing or to provide heating (and cooling) to public and private sector organisations.
Click here for information on Connective Energy

Learning Teaching Scotland (LTS) provides advice, support, resources and staff development to the education community, creating a culture of innovation, ambition and excellence throughout Scottish education.
Click here for LTS main website
Click here LTS student and teacher resources (9-14 year olds) on climate change

Salix Finance is an independent, publicly funded company, set up in 2004, to accelerate public sector investment in energy efficiency technologies through invest to save schemes. Salix has public funding from the Carbon Trust and is working across the public sector with Local Authorities, NHS Foundation Trusts, Higher and Further Education institutions and Central Government.
Click here for Salix Finance website

Click here to access a list of organisations that can provide you support in a range of topic areas
Click here to go to the Energy Topic Support Network Page
Click here to go to see the outcomes from energy related events in Scotland

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