Camberwell Grammar

CASE STUDY

Enabling Independent and Catholic Schools to achieve long term cost control and sustainability

ENERGY PROCUREMENT, SOLAR, BATTERY, OFF-GRID, ENERGY STRATEGY, RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY

Achieving cost control and aligning with student expectations

Camberwell Grammar decided in 2017 on a strategy to move to a point of leadership on energy to fulfil school strategy for long-term cost control, improved sustainability, and alignment with student expectations for action. 

Over the next decade, 1Circle, and working with School Procure, proved the feasibility, conducted necessary procurement then validated performance of a series of actions over the subsequent decade that have lowered energy cost and achieved zero Scope 2 emissions including:

  • a large-scale 888kW solar system
  • on-site automated weather station
  • electricity load audit
  • operational assessment of gas co-generation plant
  • off-grid solar and battery solutions for curriculum support
  • long-term renewable electricity supply agreement
  • staff and student presentations on energy, sustainability
  • solar performance evaluation
  • emissions reporting support

Approved unanimously – not because of the numbers and not in spite of them.  More so, it was seen as the right thing to do. [Energy strategy and solar deployment]

Business manager, Camberwell Grammar

Challenge

Camberwell was facing the completion of its property masterplan and knew it required significant energy resources to operate.

In parallel, students were calling for the school to demonstrate action on sustainability.

This situation created the need for a clear strategic plan of action to reduce emissions and control cost as effectively as possible.

Solution

The solution of Camberwell’s requirements included:

  • detailed feasibility of deploying solar inclusive of energy load analysis of existing and new facilities
  • competitive procurement, deployment oversight, completion evaluation of rooftop solar and off-grid classroom (solar + battery)
  • provision of an automated weather station inclusive of Class 1 pyranometer to evaluate solar system performance and be a reference for students
  • evaluation of gas co-generation system and establish operation or decommissioning policy
  • procurement of long-term renewable electricity supply agreement
  • presentations to staff and students on solar and sustainability
  • energy data analysis and emissions reporting

Results

100% Renewable, zero Scope 2 emissions

The solar system renewably contributes to a significant proportion of electricity requirements, the residual electricity was supplied using a long-term Renewable Power Purchase Agreement.

Low cost

Solar provides the lowest cost electricity – the school’s solar system therefore, significantly reduced electricity cost.

The renewable long-term agreement was very competitively priced, given the long-term tenure, this further reduced cost and shielded the school from energy market volatility.

Fulfilled expectations, students and board

The school demonstrated with conviction a commitment to sustainability through its actions.  This was a consistent calling of students and a strategic goal of the school.

Engaged in curriculum and staff

The innovative use of solar with battery enabled junior students to evaluate the impact of energy use in a real-life scenario of off-grid operation.  Senior students had access to solar and on-site weather station data to explore the impact of irradiance, solar cells and generation.

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