Energy Champions
At the 2008 Energy Expo a vision was put forward for an Energy Champion to be present in every business.
What is an Energy Champion?
An Energy Champion is a nominated individual within an organisation who receives training in energy efficiency and is responsible for pursuing and implementing energy saving projects within their organisation.
The Isle of Man Government has trained 60 energy champions, with one or more energy champions in each of its departments and statutory boards. Training for these champions is provided by the Government’s Energy Initiatives Officer, Peter Longworth.
The Department of Economic Development (DED) offers training for energy champions in commercial organisations and through the Business Support Scheme provides assistance towards an energy survey to identify energy efficiency projects within the organisation for the energy champion to implement.
The Department has assisted the commercial sector to train 66 energy champions within their organisations.
The Energy Champions Training
The purpose of this course is to give interested parties a basic understanding of how to begin to take control of energy usage and the resultant environmental emissions. Energy Management is important as it impacts on costs and the environment and can be controlled as long as it is understood.
The Department offers Energy Champions Training courses usually two or three times a year and the course will take place over two days.
On completion of the course the Energy Champion will have an understanding of:-
- Energy Efficiency
- Energy Management
- Monitoring and Targeting
- Energy Auditing
- Energy Reporting
- Information on sourcing further advice
The Department charges a nominal fee for the course of £100 per person.
Why should you consider Energy Champions training?
Historically, energy saving has been the "Cinderella" activity within businesses that have chosen to focus their attention on growth of sales or turnover which can be high risk and potentially expensive, rather than energy savings through efficiency.
There have been some remarkable savings made following Energy Champion training and subsequent energy surveys and businesses have shared the results through applying for the annual Energy Awards hosted by the Department of Economic Development.
Case study 1
A large retailer’s Energy Management Team using Plan A have created a Lower Energy Store in Douglas by installing lower wattage, more efficient lighting to sales floor and in backstage areas and to frozen food cabinets. In addition upgraded lighting controls, introducing ‘zones’ across the sales floors, upgraded HVAC controls and plant equipment, installed/repaired fridge night blinds and weir plates and upgraded refrigeration plant.
These actions achieved 30% reduction in energy consumption, saving 800,000kWh (£96,000pa) winning the organisation the Biggest Saving category in the 2012 Energy Awards. The organisation is the first customer to sign up to the MEA Green Tariff.
Case study 2
A 2010 Energy Champion in the manufacturing sector reduced electrical usage by a staggering 33% making the company more profitable with the added benefit that they are releasing less carbon dioxide into the environment.
The original target was set at 20% and the cost to the company was minimal as most of the savings were achieved through changes in housekeeping which were made apparent from using MEA Energy Eye monitoring software indicating their high base load.
Case Study 3
The local Manx retailer has reported sales for solid fuel stoves increasing at 20% per annum due to energy price hikes in recent years. To date the company has installed stoves with an estimated total capacity of around 1200kw. All meet Building Regulation requirements and are thoroughly tested and certified on completion with a certificate of compliance issued to the customer and a duplicate sent to Building Control. In July 2010 they fitted a 6.5kw stove in a 5 bedroom property in Ramsey. The homeowner carefully monitored their oil usage and concluded that savings of over £3,500 have been made in the two years following installation.
Case study 4
In 2011 a hotel proprietor found that replacing 34 bulbs in one of his hotels would save over £2,500 over a five year period and the electricity usage on lighting has been reduced by a staggering 90%. The initial investment will be paid for in energy savings within the first year and as a result established a dedicated business importing and supplying the LED light bulbs.
Case study 5
One award winning organisation at the 2009 Energy Champions Awards made an annual saving in energy of £40,000.
The organisation achieved their saving with simple measurement and control methods, both are low cost and low risk activities – to achieve an additional £40,000 net profit through growth related activities would have required an increase in turnover of £400,000!
Whichever way you look at it energy efficiency is a low cost, low risk way to increase the bottom line profitability of any business.
To find out how you can get an Energy Champion trained contact the Department’s Energy Unit on +44 (0)1624 682367 or email richard.cuthbert@gov.im or use the application form below.
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