Greener Energy Futures help Southmead Development Trust slash thousands from energy bills
Beating increasing energy prices with quick energy efficient solutions
With increasing energy prices set to cost Southmead Development Trust an additional £36,000 a year, they needed expert help to identify immediate energy-saving solutions to continue delivering on their responsibilities to the local community. And with a vision for a vibrant, compelling, low-carbon operation, the Trust wanted a prioritised plan of longer-term projects to honour their responsibility to the planet.
After Greener Energy Solutions identified an ongoing programme of solutions, the Trust now have a clear path forward to save energy and reduce costs. And with our help, the Trust has secured funding to implement fast solutions with annual savings of £31,000 to ease the headache of energy price increases.
The Greenway Centre: A thriving community hub
Southmead Development Trust is a charity helping strengthen North Bristol's communities through health, wellbeing, learning and employment. Part of the Trust's activity is managing the Greenway Centre, a set of buildings used as a base for more than twenty businesses, charities, social enterprises, statutory services and community classes.
Formally a secondary school built in the 1950s, the Greenway Centre was converted into a community centre in the 1990s for the Trust to run on a long-term lease. Today the site is a thriving community hub offering a range of performing arts programmes, debates, sporting events and festivals.
Immediate action backed by longer-term goals
As an environmentally focused organisation, The Trust already had a substantial solar array on its roofs. But to manage a predicted doubling of electricity prices from 1st October 2022, they needed to identify immediate ways to save costs. In the longer term, they also wanted a clear and manageable plan that would see continued improvements to the comfort and carbon emissions of the buildings and meaningful steps towards meeting Bristol City Council's 2030 Net Zero target.
Southmead Development Trust knew it needed to reduce energy costs both at a financial and environmental level, but with an old building and diverse set of users, they didn't know where to begin.
Greener Energy Futures' Multi-Plan Solution
The Trust's Operations Manager, Sam Garbett, was referred by Bristol Energy Co-Operative to us at Greener Energy Futures. As experts in tackling energy and carbon in buildings, our remit was to recommend and assist with a prioritised programme of energy improvement projects.
After an extensive site audit on the Greenway Centre, we suggested a multi-stage plan to improve the site, including better insulation, lighting upgrades, renewable heating, and battery storage for excess energy generated from the solar arrays and sub-metering to monitor usage. We also helped the Trust successfully apply for a grant worth £4000 to implement the first part of the plan.
A Prioritised Short Term Action Plan
With energy price increases fast approaching, the immediate focus was to significantly reduce costs quickly and efficiently. With this in mind, we identified three key areas.
1) Reduce night-time energy waste
In 2021 the Trust spent £25,467 on electricity during the night when the facility isn't in use. By making changes that ensure everything is turned off at the end of the day, the Trust could see quick win savings of £1000s per year. Submetering should allow further savings.
2) Install LED lighting
Replacing the existing fluorescent lights with highly efficient LED lights would see a 75% reduction in energy. On top of potential annual savings of £17,500 a year, LED lights last 25 times longer and produce better light quality, meaning less maintenance and a more comfortable environment. To get the project moving quickly, we helped secure grant funding to switch to LED lights.
3) Insulate the loft
Loft insulation reduces energy usage and improves comfort. The Trust will make quick and easy improvements by installing loft insulation.
Pushing Towards Net Zero
With the short-term action plan in motion, Southmead Development Trust is well on its way to meeting the impending increase in energy prices. But for The Trust, it was always just the first step of a long-term plan to reduce more costs, provide a welcoming environment for their community and play their part in protecting our planet by eliminating energy waste.
To continue pushing towards their net-zero ambition and financial savings targets, our audit highlighted a range of additional projects for the future. These include:
· Installing meters to understand and further reduce night-time energy wastage
POTENTIAL ANNUAL SAVINGS: £2,500/year
· Implement alternative heat source solutions
POTENTIAL ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL SAVING: 56.3 tonnes C02e
"A healthy and thriving community benefits from a sustainable space to connect people, and Greener Energy Futures' insights give us an excellent opportunity to make our buildings more comfortable, lower cost, and to push towards Bristol's Net Zero 2030 ambition. The projects identified will help us set long-term goals and make immediate savings.
We had been struggling for years to make sense of the immense challenge, knowing the important financial and environmental benefits but needing expert help to break this down into a coherent and manageable programme. Our site's age and user diversity make this task even harder, and GEF took all this into account.
We have so much confidence that we can now deliver on our responsibilities to ourselves, our community and the planet."
Sam Garbett | Operations Manager at Southmead Development Trust
Looking to Reduce Your Business Energy Spend?
If, like Southmead Development Trust, you are looking for a complete solution to find, fund and action carbon reductions together with cost-saving opportunities; a Greener Energy Futures audit will help you meet your financial and environmental goals.
"We've been delighted to support the Trust's vision of a vibrant, effective low-carbon operation. Being able to bring a complete solution of finding, funding, and fulfilling carbon reductions is how all organisations can approach the dual challenges of Climate Change and the Energy Crisis. We can't wait to see the transformation at the Greenway Centre."
Simon Pyne | Director at Greener Energy Futures
With the audit always less than the savings we identify, we'll also introduce you to highly regarded solutions partners and help you to identify grant-funded projects.
Call Simon on 07796 412769 for more information or to have a quick brainstorm on making your business a positive player in our greener energy future.
More Energy Saving Stories
For another example of how a Greener Energy Futures energy saving audit helped a charitable community project conserve energy, reduce costs and move towards their net zero goals, read the story of Hartcliffe City Farm (link to https://www.greenerenergyfutures.net/greatideas/holy-cow-hartcliffe-city-farm-gets-fully-funded-carbon-reductions-with-greener-energy-futures)
BIO: Southmead Development Trust
Southmead Development Trust is a charity run by staff, volunteers and residents to build a thriving community by providing inspiring and accessible community spaces. They are proud of the impact they provide, generating £50 in social value for every £1 they invest.
Find Out More <link to https://southmead.org/>