NATIONAL SOLAR SCHOOLS PROGRAM Video Conference Series 23 October 2008

1. NATIONAL SOLAR SCHOOLS PROGRAM Video Conference Series 23 October 2008

2. Start Bridg-it Click on the Bridg-it icon (on VC computer) Connect to server (bridgit.det.nsw.edu.au) Select the National Solar Schools conference – click join Remember - mute your speaker Have a question? During the video conference you can submit a question to the panel, email to: gaetana.demarinis@det.nsw.edu.au Subject title: NSSP There will be two question sessions this afternoon. Need help? For assistance call 02 9561 1237

3. VIDEO CONFERENCE - 23 OCTOBER • Introduction of Video Conference series and National • Solar Schools Program • Potential areas of sustainability improvement in schools • Tools to assist schools in assessing • Sustainability targets for DET schools – water & energy • Linking to curriculum • DET supporting schools to : • link sustainability targets developed by school or DET • develop & submit projects funded by the NSSP • integrate student learning with project research, • development & monitoring

4. National Solar Schools Programs (NSSP) – Video conference series

5. National Solar Schools Program: is an 8 year non-competitive grant aims to increase energy and water efficiencies in schools will provide a maximum of $50,000 of funding if a 2 kW solar system is included will pay for a wide variety of energy efficiency products / materials and water tanks Funding will only be reduced if a school has claimed money under green vouchers scheme All program information & registrations from www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/ nationalsolarschools/index.html

6. DET’s Environmental Strategy • Overview including: • Philosophy and purpose • Principles • Values Energy Management Plan Water Management Plan WRAPP Plan Environmental Education Plans Action Plan Action Plan Action Plan Action Plan

7. WATER

8. Water - where are we ……. and did you know? • All government agencies : • Have to reduce their potable water consumption by 15% by 2010/211 on 2005/06 levels • Purchase ‘Smart Approved WaterMark’ products and services • DET spends $15 million on water • That it is estimated that 40% of water in schools is not used (ie leaks) • That the cost of water is set to rise significantly

9. What does this mean for schools … WATER • All schools have reduced potable water consumption of 15% on 2005 levels by 2011 • Individual targets: 9 ltrs/student/day – primary 12 ltrs/student/day – secondary • NABERS rating - water • By 2008/9 all sites to have obtained a NABERS rating • 2009/10 50% of schools achieve a 3.5 NABERS star rating • 2010/11 100% of schools meet 3.5 NABERS star rating *NABERS – National Australian Built Environment Rating System

10. Water tools available • The Department’s intranet site: LINK asset management/environment & sustainability/national solar schools program • Water audit tool • Water usage tool – ‘The Brainmeter’ • User Manual • Risk Assessment

11. Understanding the results Know when and why your water is being used. Is it a behaviour issue or something else? • High water use – problem solver • It may be something else…

12. ENERGY

13. Energy - where are we ……. and did you know? • All government agencies had to reduce their energy consumption by 25% between 1995 and 2005 – DET’s increased by 21.5% (29.3% 2006) • DET spends $56 million pa on energy (gas + electricity) • DET used: • In 1995 1,725,394 Gj of energy • In 2006 2,231,425 Gj of energy • DET produced: • In 1995 335,813 tonnes of greenhouse gas • In 2006 425,428 tonnes of greenhouse gas • That the cost of electricity is set to rise significantly

14. What does this mean for schools … • ENERGY • All schools to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 5% on 2008 levels by 2011 • NABERS ratings - energy • By 2008/9 all sites to have obtained a NABERS rating • 2009/10 50% of schools achieve a 3.5 NABERS star rating • 2010/11 100% of schools meet 3.5 NABERS star rating *NABERS – National Australian Built Environment Rating System

15. Energy tools available • The Department’s intranet site - LINK • Energy audit tool • Thermal performance of your buildings • Tools coming soon • High Energy Use - Problem Solver • Thermal Performance Audit Tool

16. Understanding the results • Where is most of the energy being used

17. Question time Have a question? During the video conference you can submit questions to the panel, email to gaetana.demarinis@det.nsw.edu.au All questions and answers will be transcribed and information put on the Assets and Environmental Education website.

18. Linking water and energy to curriculum EE policy Science & Technology K-6 HSIE K-6 Science, Geography and HSIE 7-10

19. Student investigation • Resource systems and resource use in schools • Help with leak (water) & wastage detection • Student behaviour changes to reduce of resource use • Investigation • Problem solving • Developing & testing of new strategies / solutions

20. Water • School as part of managed water cycle supply & drainage • What systems deliver water to us and remove it from my school • What keeps water clean and fresh for our use • School as part of the catchment • What systems do we use to catch, store & use water in our school • How can we manage our school as part of a catchment to ensure water quality • School water use • Monitoring use through water bills monthly or quarterly • Water metre reading • Smart metering and use of ICT

21. Energy • Energy sources • Energy cycles and sources of energy • Renewable energy • Our schools Energy Use • Appliances and energy use in our schools • Reducing our schools energy use • Energy efficient appliances & behaviour changes

22. Question time Have a question? During the video conference you can submit questions to the panel, email to gaetana.demarinis@det.nsw.edu.au All questions and answers will be transcribed and information put on the Assets and Environmental Education website.

23. Actions for Schools Register with the National Schools Program website to keep up with all of the bulletins and messages www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/nationalsolarschools/index.html Undertake reviews of energy and water in your school – bills, audits, student investigations Register with the Sustainable Schools website start your SEMP www.sustainableschools.nsw.edu.au Developing action plans on the Sustainable schools website

24. Video Conference - 13 November Applying for the National Solar Schools Program Reviewing of the program guidelines NSSP template and advice for developing your application DET requirements for your application Hear from the NSSP Director Mr Michael Preece