Green Schools

Eight schools in the Memphis area are participating in a new pilot program offered by TVA and MLGW designed to save energy and money for the schools while enhancing the students’ understanding of energy efficiency.

During the first quarter of the Green Schools pilot program, which was launched in August 2009, energy-efficiency measures implemented at Memphis area schools resulted in a combined savings of $3,327 or 17,624 kilowatt-hours.

Also participating in Green Schools pilot program with TVA are Knoxville Utilities Board and the Johnson City Power Board. TVA and these distributors of TVA power will use results from the pilot programs to determine its potential for other schools across the Tennessee Valley.

“Students are really excited about this real-world experience where they can apply math and science skills to actually create energy audits for their schools, see where power is being wasted in the schools as well as at home and where they can conserve energy,” said Clint Richardson, Manager, Customer Relations, MLGW.

Jolyn Newton, program manager for TVA Energy Efficiency Education and Outreach, said students are learning how adjusting thermostats by just one or two degrees can save money and conserve energy. Students have formed energy patrols to remind teachers and classmates to turn off lights, power strips, computers and other equipment when not being used.

“They are turning off banks of lights in classrooms on sunny days and turning all lights off for short periods of time as part of the energy-saving measures,” Richardson said. “They are learning behavioral changes that will carry into their adult lives at home and at work. It’s amazing to see the enthusiasm the students are expressing for this hands-on learning project.”

MLGW and TVA leaders also say that the program gives students and staff at participating schools the knowledge and resources to help them become more aware of the link between energy efficiency and the environment.

The Green Schools program is offered by the national Alliance to Save Energy, based in Washington, D.C. TVA chose the Green Schools Program after researching other national programs.

Teachers in each school participated in an introductory workshop at the beginning of the school year that helped the energy patrols work together to create customized plans for saving energy in school, creating school-wide energy awareness, and taking the message home and into the local community. Throughout the year, each school received information on its monthly energy usage and support from frequent school visits by local project leaders from the Alliance to Save Energy. School teams then came together again for a midyear planning meeting in January and will participate in a celebration at the end of the school year.

At the midyear meeting student groups made presentations. Some wrote and sang songs encouraging energy efficient behavior in their school, conducted interviews for school TV channels, made audit reports, created science fair-style projects and designed energy conservation PowerPoint presentations. Representatives from the Alliance to Save Energy, MLGW and TVA participated in the meetings.

Schools across the nation have realized energy cost savings of 5 percent to 15 percent from their participation in the Green Schools program. Participating schools receive a small stipend to compensate staffers for their time planning for the program. More information about Green Schools is available here.