Beyond Earth Hour Challenge 2009
Proudly Supported by Energy Australia energyAustralialogo


This challenge was open to Sydney Region High Schools and was designed for each school to reduce their electricity consumption over a period of one month. The reduction in consumption was calculated against the benchmark figure for a particular school. This figure was calculated prior to the challenge launch date, which was Monday the 14th September. Schools who have participated in the Beyond Earth Hour Challenge in previous years were in Category 1. Those schools who are new to the Challenge were in Category 2. Monitoring will continue beyond the four week challenge to identify schools that have implemented effective energy efficiency strategies within the school. Energy Australia is partnering with Observatory Hill to supply schools with electricity consumption data through remote monitoring of the schools electricity meter using Webgraphs.

Results:

The winning school for Category 1 - Canterbury Boys High School.
  • Average reduction in consumption of 42.3%
  • Reduced their CO2 emissions by 7279.6 kgs 
  • Saved the school $1252.40 on utilities expenditure.

The winning school for Category 2 - Sylvania High School.
  • Average reduction in consumption of 20.3%
  • Reduced their CO2 emissions by 7274.7 kgs 
  • Saved the school $1251.56 on utilities expenditure.

Across the Sydney Region over the four week period of the project, 22 high schools:
  • Achieved an average reduction in energy consumption of 20.9%.
  • Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 126, 093.4 kgs of CO2.
  • This resulted in savings on utilities of $21, 693.47 across the region!
canterbury

                  Canterbury Boys High School - Winners of Category 1		 sylvania

                       Sylvania High School - Winners of Category 2


Student teams in the project were invited to participate in a video conference/podcast screening prior to the launch date to gather tips and strategies to implement their school energy efficiency plan.  The strategies developed with school community support will foster a culture of sustainability through reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. This campaign will allow a reduction in the expenditure on electricity and allow funding to be allocated for other purposes within the school.

Schools who participated in this year's event:

Category 1 2009  Category 2 2009
Blakehurst High School  
Canterbury Girls High School
Canterbury Boys High School
Cleveland Street Intensive English High School
Dulwich High School
Engadine High School
Fort Street High School
Lucas Heights Community School
Menai High School
Moorefield Girls High School
Newtown High School of Performing Arts
St George Girls High School  
Sydney Girls High School
Sydney Secondary College Balmain Campus 		Caringbah High School
Georges River College Peakhurst Campus
Gymea Technical High School
Heathcote High School
Sydney Boys High School
Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus
Sylvania High School
Tempe High School

The Challenge:

  • encourages and rewards student leadership
  • strengthens a culture of sustainability across the school 
  • focuses on student driven capacity building in reducing the school's ecological footprint
  • reduces expenditure on utilities, allowing a reallocation of school funds to other areas
  • engages the school in supporting the Sydney Region Ecological Sustainability Group
  • portrays the school image of environmental responsibility within the local community
  • contributes to current government campaigns in the areas of sustainable resource management 

Support for your school Challenge Team

To support your school in the Beyond Earth Hour Challenge, the following has been made available:

1. Video conference was conducted with students from previous challenges offering tips and advice to the current participants. 

2. Tips on Energy Efficiency Strategies - Click here for a link to view a podcast featuring an interview with students from Newtown High School of Performing Arts. 

3. Quickstart guide to planning for Beyond Earth Hour Challenge (click to download).

4. Action Planning Template to document your targets and strategies to reduce electricity wastage (click to download). 

5. Accessing Webgraphs - as part of the project your school will be connected to this online electricity monitoring facility (more information below). 

6. Fast Facts ideas and strategies (click to download).


The Prize

The school with the greatest average percentage reduction in electricity against their benchmark and evidence for four weeks after the challenge that their energy efficiency strategies have been successful in continuing to conserve electricity, will be the winner. The winning school in each category will receive a $1000 voucher to fund or support a student sustainability project to be implemented in the school and a visit for the team to the Energy Australia, Energy Efficiency Centre at Homebush. 

All teams will receive a Certificate of Recognition for being involved in the project.


Energy Australia - Webgraphs

Throughout this challenge Energy Australia provides remote monitoring of your school electricity account through their Webgraphs service. Through an online weblink your school is able to measure, monitor and manage the schools' energy usage. Remote monitoring of your school electricity consumption allows you to see the kWh consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and energy analysis. 
To view a sample version of this graph facility, log into www.webgraphs.com.au with the user name - sample and password - sample.  



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