PRESS RELEASE: 15 February 2016 

Academy upgrades to LED to save on student energy costs 
 
 

Southmoor Academy in Sunderland is brighter, lighter and more energy efficient thanks to a lighting and energy improvement upgrade.

Leading maintenance provider Kier, the property, residential, construction and services group, and project partner Minimise Energy, the energy efficiency and LED lighting specialist, has replaced all of the academy's old fluorescent lights with LEDs.

The project, funded through an interest free energy efficiency loan from Salix Finance Ltd, also involved Minimise installing a series of energy sensors and monitors throughout the school buildings, which link to an online dashboard and control system, giving the school an instant and continuous view of its energy use.

Using this system, the school's facilities team are able to spot and change inefficient behaviours, identify problems such as boiler malfunctions and take action at the earliest opportunity. They are also able to monitor the changes made to ensure they are delivering the best energy performance improvements.

The Minimise Monitoring and Control System has also been configured to provide water monitoring and control, maximising efficiencies and cost reductions across the school.

Kier Regional Director Mike Furze said: "Working in partnership with Minimise offers our client Southmoor Academy access to a service and product of cutting edge technology.

"Not only do the lights enhance the safety aspects of the school by offering improved lighting, but they also give value for money in terms of predicted reduced energy costs."

Commenting on the project, Sam Stageman, Sales Director at Minimise Energy, said: "Southmoor Academy clearly shows the savings that LEDs can make in an educational environment. But it's also important that there are aesthetic improvements too, giving students and teachers a better learning environment.

"By including a monitoring and control system, the school will have the tools it needs to make further improvements. As energy prices continue to rise, that's going to be critical."

Southmoor Academy Business Manager, Pam Davison, said: "We are delighted with the predicted energy savings by switching to LED lighting. The controllability allows the teachers and staff to modify the lighting levels to suit specific activities and the reduction to maintenance leaves the team free to work on other key areas."

Ends

Contact details: For more information, visit www.minimisegroup.com or contact Adrienne Robins at Green Tiger Communications on 07855 643094. Email Adrienne@greentigercommunications.co.uk.

Images:please use the links below to download images of the lighting at Southmoor Academy -

• LED lights at Southmoor Academy
• LEDs: reception area Southmoor Academy
• Reception area LEDs at Southmoor Academy
• Classroom LEDs at Southmoor Academy    

Notes to editors

Benefits
A survey carried out by Kier and Minimise Energy identified the benefits of the programme. These are:

• An electricity saving of 647,286 kWh per annum

• A predicted 60% cut in lighting energy consumption

• A predicted reduction in overall annual energy spend of more than 30%

• Cost of energy per student reduced by 47%, from £123 to £65 per pupil

• Reduced carbon emissions of circa 235 tonnes per year

• All measures contribute to Sunderland City Councils' commitment to energy reduction

The impact of LED lights
Minimise has replaced all existing fluorescent lights, predominantly tubes and panels, within the academy's buildings. LED equivalents have been fitted in classrooms, corridors, main areas, the canteen, offices, and washrooms.

This has reduced the school's lighting energy load by more than 60%, cutting student energy costs from the current level of £123 per student to £65. Where possible, the new LEDs were used within existing, refurbished and reconfigured fittings to minimise disruption and electrical waste. All electrical items removed from the site as part of the contract were taken back to the Minimise site and recycled in accordance with the WEEE Directive.

Funding
The Southmoor Academy energy efficiency upgrade is a Salix Funded project. Salix Finance is a not-for-profit company funded by the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Welsh and Scottish Governments. The scheme provides interest free loans to deliver energy efficiency projects in academies, with the loan repaid from the energy savings resulting from the improvement programme.

Minimise Energy
Minimise Energy is part of Minimise Group.

Minimise Group helps organisations become more sustainable, increase profitability and meet environmental, corporate and legislative targets.  It offers an integrated range of technologies, products and services that include energy efficiency, energy measurement and verification, water management, sustainability consulting and project financing.

As part of APC Technology Group plc, it delivers an integrated range of innovative technologies, products and services backed by the financial strength and stability of a 33 year-old London Stock Exchange listed company.www.minimisegroup.com

Kier Services
Part of the Kier Group, Kier Services is a specialist provider of public and private sector services, offering both single services and multi-disciplinary outsourcing throughout the UK.

Kier is one of the leading repair and maintenance providers working in social housing in the UK - this year alone it will maintain over 240,000 homes and carry out more than half a million repairs, ensuring its service meets the needs of local communities.www.kier.co.uk