Key program highlights

The sustainability of the program was enhanced in 2021-22 with the introduction of the Smart Energy Schools Pilot Project. Targeted schools are now being set up with solar and battery storage systems, further reducing energy consumption and contributing to the state government’s plan to be carbon neutral by 2030. Sixty schools have benefitted from these energy efficient coupled systems to-date.

“These systems can provide for the schools’ energy needs when there is no solar power, and also generate power to the grid in response to market values, therefore providing an income to the school and reducing their need to draw energy from carbon emitting sources,” said NSW Public Works Project Manager Randolph Wild.

To enhance energy efficiency of the air-conditioning systems, SINSW chose three schools to host monitoring and control units that allow the systems to respond efficiently to changing air temperatures and avoid expensive spikes in energy use. Innovative and collaborative thinking has also resulted in a uniform battery system design that allows the system to be easily adapted or relocated from one school to the next.

NSW Public Works collaborated with SINSW from the program’s inception, managing stakeholder engagement, procuring technical consultants and contractors, and providing project management and contract administration services. Our considerable electrical system expertise, school by school data, and state-wide network of project managers, have been key to the ongoing success of the program.

“We are also working with SINSW to provide electric vehicle charging stations to a selection of schools in the program,” said Mr Wild. “This will utilise the energy created by the newly installed solar and battery systems, reduce air pollution, provide cheaper transport options and help tackle the problem of transport emissions, which are second only to those of the energy sector.”