Energy Champions encourage behavioural change

Background

Bedford Borough Council wanted to tackle the high baseload energy consumption in their administrative office building during weekends and nights. To achieve this goal they embarked on a programme to encourage energy efficiency by using a team of ‘Energy Champions’ to spread the word on energy efficiency and encourage behavioural change.

ProjectDescription
Aim	To reduce the after-hours baseload electricity consumption of the office building through behavioural change.
Key points	A group of Energy Champions was established within the organisation, comprised of a staff member from each department. The group meets on a quarterly basis to devise ways to encourage energy saving behaviour among staff. _ The Champions’ first task was to place posters and reminder stickers in all departments to raise awareness of turning off electrical equipment to save energy. _ _ Following this, the group staged a week-long campaign in May 2006 to give a focused boost to encouraging behavioural change. _ The campaign consisted of daily emails to staff giving energy efficiency facts and information, daily audits of electrical equipment to record what had been left on and placing reminder stickers on those pieces of equipment. Feedback was provided to staff in the form of departmental performance highlighting good or poor results. A prize was awarded to the department that showed the greatest improvement. _ Assessment of the audit information taken during the week showed improvement over time with less equipment being left on overnight. Data was also taken via the remote metering system installed in the building, which showed a 10-15% decrease in electricity consumption. _ The Energy Champions’ work has been maintained with further awareness raising activities and campaigns, including a competition for staff using an energy quiz and random auditing of equipment in offices with feedback to all staff on the results.

Recommendations
Achievements	Essential factors for success of Energy Champions  Secure high level support to ensure staff realise that the scheme is serious and requires their attention.  Nominate a key individual to lead the group, organise action and maintain momentum.  Include a representative from every department in the group to ensure that all staff are involved. _ Monitoring and evaluation _ It is not essential to have a remote metering system in order to undertake this scheme, but additional work will be required for the monitoring element if this is not in place. An individual will be required to take meter readings before, during and after campaigns, to monitor overnight use and evaluate whether or not energy consumption is reduced. Monitoring can be limited to auditing of what equipment is left on, but this will be less accurate in terms of consumption reduction and associated fuel costs.
Lessons Learned	- Even if the Energy Champions are volunteers, it must be made clear that this new role will not interfere significantly with their current workload. This is also why high level support is essential as this will ensure that line managers agree with the need for a member of their team to take on this role.  The key challenge once the scheme is initially established is to maintain momentum and enthusiasm for the scheme so that the Energy Champions do not become disheartened and de-motivated.