Energy & Sustainability

Sustainability sits right at the centre of our work, shaping how we guide estates toward clearer, cleaner energy use.

Our in-house specialists work closely with our clients to plan smarter, secure vital funding, and move confidently into energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects that make a measurable difference.

We work with organisations that need a clear approach to energy and sustainability planning. The team focuses on strategies that cut ongoing costs, support carbon reduction plans, and improve the environmental performance of estates of all shapes and sizes.

Expectations around decarbonisation are rising quickly. Priorities are changing, and the steps toward decarbonisation can feel fragmented. We bring these demands into focus to help clients evaluate their estate, identify improvements, and move forward with a strategy that works.

Access to funding often decides what happens next. We help clients find the right schemes, prepare evidence, and align plans so opportunities are not missed. The result is improved energy performance, a reduced environmental footprint and an estate that is ready for long-term demands.

Read Our Energy360™ Brochure

The Barker Energy Strategy - 4 Core Areas

Energy
Procurement

We support organisations in buying energy in a smarter, more sustainable way that improves long-term cost.

Reduction of
Energy Consumption

Our team builds targeted programmes that reduce your energy consumption and lift the overall efficiency of your estate.

Generating Energy

We identify opportunities for renewable energy generation and guide investment in clean technologies.

Engagement

We work with teams to build awareness and to encourage better habits by embedding sustainability into everyday decision-making.

The Barker Energy360™ Process

Barker Energy360™ is our process to help you craft a strategy for energy transformation, implement change, and enjoy the benefits as a result of that change:

Strategy

Policy

Energy Survey

Energy transformation
plan

Analysis

Funding

On-going
support

Implementation

Strategy

We recognise that resources are often tight and investments of time and money need to be justified. So, at the outset, Barker undertakes a desktop assessment of the potential benefits an energy management transformation process will generate and will produce a strategy to deliver the policy.

Using existing knowledge of the built environment, the experience of previous installations and standard parameters for energy prices, we will model the potential for energy saving schemes across the whole organisation.

Policy

You may already have defined your energy policy and targets, but if not, Barker can help you create a compelling vision by reviewing where you are and advising on what can be achieved.

This will help engage stakeholders and drive meaningful, urgent action. Whether your aim is reducing your carbon footprint, saving money, or both, Barker will help shape your goals and advise on the most effective strategy to meet them.

Energy

Next, Barker will undertake a full energy audit of your estate across the following key areas;

• Collect energy usage & utilities data
• Undertake detailed energy audits of each site
• Conduct an assessment of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy opportunities
• A full structural assessment of roofs where PV panels are to be located
• Identify where LED lighting can be installed
• Assessment of planning and statutory consents
• Asbestos survey
• Other relevant surveys

Energy transformation plan

Following the survey, Barker will produce a detailed energy transformation plan including a schedule of all of the energy efficiency projects which could be completed, with pre-tender estimates [based on current market prices] with associated timing plans.

The proposal will also consider the funding options available to you.

Analysis

Data can be daunting, but using it in the right way can help organisations deliver their mission to improve education outcomes. So, collecting, analysing and presenting data plays a key role in measuring the success of energy transformation.

Barker has a close collaboration with EO Portal – the industry leader in monitoring energy usage. A standard element of the EO Portal is the Energy Dashboard, which gives senior leaders actionable insights into energy usage across the estate.

Funding

The investment required to undertake the energy transformation process could be prohibitive for many education providers. There is a range of funding options available to however, at times the funding is limited and has to be bid for.

To overcome this barrier for LED lighting and photovoltaic panels installation, Barker appraises the available funding opportunities and recommends the optimum approach. A popular approach is to fund the energy transformation through an operating lease. A lease will spread the cost of the investment, and the lease liability will be easily covered by the resulting energy cost savings.

On-going support

Once we have implemented the changes, we will continue to work with you to identify other ways to optimise the operation of your estate, which could include;

• Streamline energy and carbon reporting in partnership with the Confederation of School Trusts
• Internet of Things sensors using the Microsoft IoT platform
• Solar thermal hot water generation
• Cloud-based IT systems
• Smart switching
• Voltage optimisation
• Battery storage
• Electric vehicle charging points

Implementation

Once the scope of work is agreed and funding is approved, we will work closely with you to develop a procurement program and installation plan installation plan which causes minimal disruption to your operations.

Barker has a team of professional project managers who will oversee the delivery, working with a number of trusted and reputable suppliers. We also ensure that all installed equipment has a comprehensive warranty which matches or exceeds the duration of the funding.

Our Energy & Sustainability Services Include:

Display Energy Certificates (DEC)
Energy Audits
Energy Funding

Energy Monitoring
Energy Strategy
Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)
Low Carbon/Sustainability Advice

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)
Project Management
Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR)

Energy & Sustainability Core Services

Energy Audit More

Energy Strategy More

Energy Audit

Knowledge is power. Our energy and sustainability team can undertake energy audits of your estate. We will collect energy usage data for each site, undertake a detailed energy audit and identify key opportunities for energy improvements.

Energy Strategy

Create a roadmap for decarbonisation. We produce tailored energy strategies for our clients that enable positive action. We identify the potential for energy saving schemes across your organisation, test the feasibility of implementation and prioritise projects into management programmes to suit your organisation. We can help you secure funding and manage the delivery of your projects.

Energy Funding More

Project Management More

Energy Funding

Energy transformation requires investment, and some may consider this a barrier to implementing their plans. However, at Barker, we appraise the available funding opportunities and recommend the optimum approach. Our clients can fund their energy transformation with the support of our specialist funding experts and bid writers.

Project Management

Getting it done. We have a team of professional project managers who oversee the delivery of your energy efficiency projects. We offer a turnkey solution from design through procurement to delivery and ongoing monitoring. Our experience ensures you achieve high quality, value for money, a return on your investment and peace of mind.

Manage your estate
with EO Portal

The EO portal helps our clients to quickly view and analyse their energy consumption, identify problem areas and identify opportunities to help save money.

EO Portal

What Our Energy & Sustainability Clients Say About Us

“The Solar PV service Barker provided has been exemplary.

We would recommend Barker to anyone in the leisure sector considering the installation of Solar PV.”

Managing Director IHL, Rugeley Leisure Centre

“We never expected it to be this good. It’s astonishing.

When reviewing the consumption charts, you can see the impact of SOLAR and then LED. Electricity use is down 66% since I started energy-saving measures. I am so pleased.”

Middlesex Learning Trust, CFOO

“With Barker’s assistance, we were able to secure over £3million worth of funding with the PSDS round.

Barker has been great through the whole process, assisting with the initial skills fund award, the bids, monitoring paperwork as well as project tenders, set up, and completion.”

Academies Enterprise Trust

“Barker played a crucial part in our bid submission, acting as our technical advisor from feasibility to execution of the projects delivered. Working in partnership with Barker, we were able to deliver circa £2million worth of decarbonisation projects across our Academies.

Barker has supported us in a professional and technical capacity. We have found them to be extremely knowledgeable around infrastructure, renewable energy technologies, and decarbonisation strategies.”

Windsor Academy Trust

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