St Boniface Catholic College, part of the Plymouth CAST Multi Academy Trust, is a secondary school for boys located in the Manadon area of Plymouth.
The college was selected to participate in the Net Zero Accelerator Pathfinder, aiming to reduce energy consumption, carbon emissions, and operational costs. This initiative included significant upgrades to the school’s energy systems and infrastructure.
The primary goal was to enhance the school’s energy efficiency and sustainability. The project involved upgrading the existing 12.61 kWp Solar PV system, replacing outdated fluorescent lighting with modern LED fixtures, and optimising heating controls.
The project faced several challenges, including the need to work within budget constraints and manage the varying conditions of the existing gas-fired heating systems. Additionally, the school lacked a monitoring system for its solar PV generation, and the heating controls were a mix of modern and outdated systems.
Barker addressed these issues by prioritising interventions that offered the most significant impact and aligning them with the school’s capital plan.
The interventions led to substantial improvements in energy efficiency and sustainability. The installation of a new 96 kWp Solar PV system is expected to generate 84,620 kWh annually, saving approximately 17 tonnes of carbon and £14,953 in costs. The LED lighting upgrade and heating controls optimisation resulted in a 21% reduction in gas use.
The school’s engagement in behaviour change initiatives further supported these efforts, leading to a comprehensive Climate Action Plan and active participation in sustainability programs. Feedback from the school has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the project’s success in creating a more sustainable and cost-effective environment.
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