Clean/Renewable Energy: What it is and How Schools can Achieve It.

At GGI one of our main focus areas is conserving energy and incorporating renewable or using clean energy. Ultimately, our vision is that every school is a zero net energy school (i.e. the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is equal to the amount of renewable energy created on the site)

• Districts are purposefully planning to and are mindful of what types of energy they are consuming, when, and invest in renewable energy options.

We must conserve energy through behavior change and shift our reliance toward renewable energy sources.  The entire school community must be involved and engaged in conserving energy, as it involves everyone within a school building.

Why schools should conserve energy and switch to clean, renewable energy: 

1. Eliminates use of fossil fuels (finite, natural resources)
2. Reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and effects on climate change
3. Positively impacts student health (with cleaner air)
4. Financial savings to schools / districts
5. Educate students and staff on real-world energy issues  

Ways GGI is helping schools convert to more sustainable energy

GGI is involved in helping schools find ways to use clean energy with multiple different programs: 

• We have talked to students about their local energy system, even providing students with “up close and personal” opportunities to see energy-from-waste technology. 
• We have helped schools set up Energy Star Portfolio Manager (ESPM) which tracks different types of waste, including energy. 
• We help districts leverage ESPM data to prioritize behavior changes in schools (think motion sensor lights, timers, shutting off items at night, etc).
• We have trained district staff on efficient ways to track energy usage and provided long-term implementation plans to switch to zero net energy.

Highlighting Camden City Schools 

We want to recognize Camden City School District (CCSD) for winning the 2022 Sustainability Makes $ense Award for their efforts to use clean energy!  

• CCSD had Local Government Energy Audits (LGEA) completed for 15 schools. 
• They prepared an Energy Saving Plan (ESP) and started the Energy Saving Improvement Program (ESIP). 
• They have begun light replacements.
• They are doing ongoing maintenance (retro-commissioning) on their HVAC systems
• And are generating revenue through demand response by reducing their energy usage at peak times.

Additional resources to learn more about clean energy and why it is important for schools to make that switch. 

1. American Lung Association: The Importance of Transitioning to Clean Energy 
2. EPA: Local Renewable Energy Benefits and Resources 
3. UN: Sustainable Education through Renewable Energy 
4. EPA: Energy Efficiency Programs in K-12 Schools