Created: 28th August, 2024
Robert joined Barker in 2002 and is a Partner based in our Braintree office. A Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, he has over 20 years’ experience of all core building surveying services and provides strategic estates advice to key accounts in the education, commercial, ecclesiastical and public sectors.
An education specialist, he provides the following services: estates and energy strategy, asset management planning, project management and capital funding applications.
Robert works closely with clients to plan and implement energy efficiency and sustainability strategies to save money, reduce carbon emissions and meet ESG objectives.
As a RICS Certified Historic Buildings Professional he provides conservation consultancy for clients with listed and historic buildings.
Robert is an experienced APC Assessor and Chairman and is also an external examiner for Anglia Ruskin University
As a Partner Robert leads the Business Development and Marketing function at Barker, builds relationships with key sector bodies and helps steer the strategic growth of the company.
Email: rgould@barker-associates.co.uk
Tel: 01279 648057
With the numerous challenges facing schools energy efficiency of the estates is often overlooked. From historical buildings with ineffective insulation and outdated heating systems to habits that increase energy usage, many schools’ utility bills are much higher than they should be. Not only does this impact the environment, but it also places financial pressure on schools and directly affects the learning experience for students. So, it’s no surprise that many schools are searching for ways to improve energy efficiency and sustainability across estates.
While some simple changes can reduce long-term energy costs and support your journey to net-zero carbon emissions, creating a strategy for energy transformation can be challenging. The role of an energy strategist has become indispensable in recent years and working with an expert can simplify the process of developing and implementing initiatives that have a positive impact. An energy strategist can amplify the results of your sustainability journey, help identify quick wins and also enable you to reap the long-lasting benefits.
Creating an effective energy management strategy doesn’t have to be complicated, time-consuming or expensive, and below we have explored the benefits of collaborating with an energy strategist in more detail.
An energy strategist is someone who specialises in developing and implementing energy plans for organisations. They can help you define and achieve your sustainability goals by optimising energy use, reducing monthly energy costs and prioritising efficient practices. They will analyse your energy consumption, identify areas for improvement and recommend solutions that work for your school. With a diverse skill set and unparalleled knowledge of energy markets, funding streams and regulatory landscapes, energy strategists provide end-to-end support. They will work closely with you to create a customised energy strategy that addresses your specific needs and challenges, ensuring energy efficiency.
No matter how big or small your school estate, or your reasons for wanting to improve energy efficiency, working with an energy strategist offers several benefits;
An energy strategist has extensive knowledge of sustainable practices and experience implementing different solutions in schools. They also remain up-to-date with the changing energy market, technical solutions and project costs. They can bring to your attention initiatives that you might not have otherwise considered. Their expertise can significantly improve the outcomes of your energy strategy and help you reach your net-zero targets, all while mitigating risks and helping you take full advantage of options readily available to you.
When working with an energy strategist to improve energy efficiency across your estate, they will devise a plan tailored to your specific needs. By helping determine your sustainability goals and analysing your current energy consumption, they can recommend the most effective changes that solve issues important to your school. Whether it’s lowering energy bills by a certain percentage, transitioning to renewable energy or reducing carbon emissions, their bespoke strategy will achieve results.
Not every type of energy-efficient improvement is suitable for every school, so it’s crucial to consider the feasibility of initiatives. An energy strategist can help you consider the benefits and drawbacks of available options,and determine the best solutions for your estate. Their informed and impartial advice will prevent you from wasting time, money and resources on the wrong initiatives, taking into consideration everything from implementation costs, maintenance requirements and potential energy savings before making recommendations.
With the energy market constantly changing, energy security has become more important than ever for schools. An energy strategist can help diversify your energy sources, preventing you from being dependent on a single supplier and improving energy security. Whether it’s through energy procurement, renewable energy generation, or a combination of the two, you can protect your estate from price volatility and supply disruptions. This security offers several benefits in the long run for schools.
As technology rapidly advances, the energy solutions available become even more diverse. An energy strategist will stay informed and help you take advantage of the latest developments in the industry. From smart metres to renewable energy systems, they can recommend and incorporate different solutions into your energy strategy that improve sustainability. With new technologies emerging regularly, they can even suggest future projects to ensure your estate remains as efficient as possible.
Creating a transformational energy strategy for your school involves several key steps and an expert can guide you through the entire process, ensuring nothing important is overlooked. Some crucial components to consider include;
Undertaking a comprehensive energy audit is the first step in developing an energy strategy. This involves collecting and analysing energy usage data, identifying inefficiencies and highlighting opportunities for improvement. With the audit results, an energy strategist can help you plan projects that will have an immediate impact on energy consumption and ensure you’re prioritising the right improvements for your estate. A detailed action plan will be developed that outlines innovative solutions to save energy and eliminate waste, helping you meet your carbon reduction targets and lower energy costs.
For many schools, securing funding is essential to the successful implementation of an energy strategy. The financial investment required for energy improvements can be prohibitive, but an energy strategist can identify potential funding options and advise you on the pros and cons of each. If required, they can also assist with funding applications or bids, ensuring you get the financial support required to implement energy-efficient technologies and practices. Their expertise can streamline the funding process, ensuring it’s hassle-free and enabling you to focus on other aspects of the energy strategy.
Once an action plan is created and funding is secured, projects can be executed, whether this includes upgrading HVAC systems, installing smart technologies or investing in renewable energy. An energy strategist will coordinate with various stakeholders to ensure seamless implementation and minimal disruption to your operations. Following the completion of works, continuous monitoring and reporting are essential to track progress and make necessary adjustments. This will help ensure the energy strategy remains effective and enable you to respond to changing needs over time.
In recent years there has been a focus on buying energy in a sustainable way and reducing energy consumption as well as a shift towards generating renewable energy on-site. It’s becoming increasingly common for schools to integrate renewable energy solutions, such as solar and wind, into existing energy strategies.
With the help of a renewable energy strategist, you can navigate the complexities of on-site generation and adopt new technologies. They will assess the feasibility of different renewable energy options and evaluate the return on investment, helping you make the right decisions. Following this, they can develop implementation plans and manage the installation of renewable systems. Their expertise ensures a seamless transition to renewable energy generation, maximising both environmental and financial benefits.
Some common types of renewable energy for schools include;
Ultimately, when trying to improve sustainability, working with an energy strategist can be hugely beneficial. They can guide you through your energy transformation and help to ensure you’re making the right choices for your school estate. By using their expertise, you can navigate the complexities of energy management, implement energy-efficient practices and reach your net-zero goals. If you’re considering embracing renewable energy solutions, it’s even more advantageous to enlist the help of an experienced energy strategist.
Our team at Barker can help you develop an energy strategy for your estate. We have many years of experience and understand the unique challenges of energy transformation in the education sector. Whatever your sustainability goals may be, we can use the Barker Energy360™ process to guide your journey and help you achieve results. Get in touch with us today to discuss your energy needs in more detail.