Whitecross School in Gloucester has been chosen by E.ON, the company which runs Powergen and E.ON Energy, to receive a grant to install microgeneration technology from its Low Carbon Schools Programme to generate renewable energy for the schools buildings.
Last week the record breaking yachtswoman, Dame Ellen MacArthur, visited the school to develop her understanding of microgeneration and learn how students are increasing their knowledge of energy efficiency and sustainability.
Ellen is working with E.ON’s B2B division who have become an official supporting partner to her Offshore Challenges Sailing Team. The key focus of the partnership will be for Ellen to understand more about the difficulties that businesses and schools face.
Ellen said: “I am keen to know how we can all take practical steps to be more energy efficient in everyday life, especially in my own business, OC Group, and help to communicate some of the practical solutions that result in a more sustainable future.
“Carefully managing my resources - be it my energy, food consumption or fuel, has always been a key aspect of my solo voyages and something I have lived with all my life.
“There is no question we are part of the problem like everyone else. We travel, we consume, we waste. We have lots to learn in the coming years on how to improve our own footprint on the planet. That’s why it’s great to be working with the students at Whitecross School, who are energy users of the future.”
David Gaston, Head Teacher at Whitecross School said: “The school is excited about working with E.ON, which gives us the opportunity to help take responsibility for the efficiency of the building and encourage staff and pupils alike to save energy.
“Sustainability is an issue which the students have already embraced through E.ON’s education programmes - The Energy Experience and plugin2engineering, and we’re delighted to have Ellen here to inspire the children about energy efficiency.”
As an official supplier to the DTI’s Low Carbon Building Programme (LCBP), E.ON is able to supply and install microgeneration technologies to public sector including schools, councils and housing associations who apply for funding.
Sam Baylis, Head of Sustainable Energy Solutions at E.ON said: “This is a great demonstration of a school adopting microgeneration into both their buildings and education programme. We are working with a number of schools across the UK who are interested in doing a similar thing. The timing is right for schools as they can obtain funding from the DTI Low Carbon Building Programme, this can be up to 50% of the cost.”
E.ON helps the public sector and private businesses to achieve their low carbon energy objectives through its Sustainable Energy Solutions business unit by giving practical advice on energy efficiency and solutions for better energy management.
To find out more and follow Ellen on her journey to learn more about sustainability, visit www.eonenergy.com/ellen to view Ellen’s personal blog.
