ENERGY SAVINGS IN NIGERIAN SCHOOLS
Generally, in Nigeria, Municipalities or Local Government Area Councils are responsible for the running of public Schools and managing their utilities; but with the boom in the establishment of private Schools from the mid-90s till now, such responsibility has shifted to the schools. Schools are now responsible for managing their energy, although there is a likelihood that most schools have historically paid little or no attention to energy savings. Changes brought about in the funding and management of schools present an opportunity to give energy management a higher priority. Energy is one area where costs can be reduced, while maintaining or even improving the school environment. Apart from reducing energy expenditure and conserving non-sustainable resources, being energy-efficient also reduces emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a major contributor to climate change. Most schools use a lot of electricity to ensure the facility is safe, secure, comfortable and conducive to learning for students. Everything from lighting to heating control adds to the electrical expenses related to running a school. The children in class can help come up with innovative ideas to save electricity at school and getting the children involved in energy-saving processes at a young age encourages responsibility and jump starts a lifetime of environmental consciousness.
GOOD SCHOOL HOUSEKEEPING
The way and manner in which staff and pupils use a school can have a significant effect on the school’s energy bill. By adopting good housekeeping practices, such as switching off lights when not required, closing windows and regular checking of heating control settings (especially in the hostels), energy costs can be cut by at least 20%. Potential savings range from a few thousand Nairas a year in a small boarding primary school to several millions of Nairas in a large private secondary school or university. Savings from good housekeeping measures should be the first aim, as they do not involve any capital expenditure and yield immediate results.
ACTION PLAN
Energy savings in Nigerian schools start with having and implementing an “Energy Action Plan”. Although the plan will vary from school to school depending on a number of factors, it is likely to consist of actions and activities to monitor energy use, analyze data, identify areas of high consumption, implement good housekeeping measures and recommend energy efficiency improvements where necessary. Also, conducting an ‘energy survey’ should be considered for inclusion in the energy action plan. This involves going round the school and making a list of obsolete and / or energy-consuming equipment and its use.
THE SCHOOL ENERGY MANAGER
Schools are encouraged to designate school Energy Managers (who can be House Masters or Hostel Matrons) that can readily make significant energy savings when the school buildings or water heaters are in a poor state. The fact is that the worse things are, the easier it may be to find ways to improve them. Having a conscientious Manager, Teacher or House Master / Matron acting as Energy Manager can reduce a school’s energy bill by 15-20%.
In implementing the Acton Plan, no matter the starting point, improvement will always be achieved by:
- motivating staff and students to adopt good housekeeping practices
- ensuring that the heating and cooling systems is running at optimum efficiency and that there is a regular programme of checking water heaters, air conditioning systems and so on.
- identifying areas where investment can achieve worthwhile energy savings, e.g., more energy efficient light fittings, replacing incandescent bulbs with energy efficient ones, or use of newer and energy efficient heating and air conditioning systems.
CHECKLIST FOR IMPLEMENTING A SUCCESSFUL ENERGY ACTION PLAN
- Gain the buy – in / support of the Proprietor or Chairman, Head-teacher and other teaching and administrative staff.
- Appoint a ‘School Energy Manager’. This could be a School Administrator, Bursar, School Manager, Teacher, Caretaker, Governor or interested parent.
- Secure the cooperation of the caretaking staff. Their experience is important in the setting up and execution of an energy action plan.
- Nominate pupils to act as energy monitors in each class. They will be responsible for turning off lights and equipment, closing windows, etc.
- Involve the whole school. This may take the form of project work, theatre groups, poster competitions, etc. to increase energy awareness among pupils and staff.
- Identify and secure support and funding.
This article was written by Emmanuel Robert ©2021
www.societyforenergyefficiency.org/blog/2021/10/25/energy-savings-in-schools
Other Useful Links
http://www.greenschools.net/article.php?id=345