Energy efficiency
Energy management in Council buildings
In order to assist Council sites with their monitoring of energy, the Environmental Management team provides the following services:
Recording and checking energy consumption
Monthly / quarterly billing data entered into database, enabling the following:
- Tariff analysis
- Notifying the building user of high / low consumption and investigating the reasons; providing advice, guidance and support
- Calculation of performance indicators in order to identify areas for cost effective improvement.
Energy audits
- Detailed investigation of building use, fabric, occupancy, heating and lighting controls
- Measurement of energy flows and performance of plant and equipment
- Review of policies and practices for energy management
- Opportunities identified for investment in energy efficiency measures.
Fuel purchasing
The Environmental Management team works with building users to ensure the most cost effective fuel purchasing possible for Council buildings.
Renewable energy
Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power have an important role to play in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide contribute to global warming, which causes climate change. Climate change manifests itself through increasingly severe weather events, such as the recent flooding in Calderdale.
The good news is that Calderdale Council is doing its bit to help.
Green electricity for all street lights in Calderdale
Calderdale's 30,000 street lights are powered from certified renewable energy sources. Power is supplied via the National Grid, but specifically produced by (bought from) wind farms across the country. Annually, street lighting in Calderdale uses 13.5 million kWh of electricity - generating this from renewable sources instead of fossil fuels saves over 7000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
Council buildings powered by green energy
More than a quarter of all the electricity used by Calderdale Council is now generated from certified renewable energy sources. This results in a carbon dioxide saving of around 1500 tonnes per year. Buildings powered completely by green electricity include:
- Northgate House
- Central Library, Halifax
- North Bridge Leisure Centre
- Piece Hall
- Victoria Theatre
- Todmorden Sports Centre
- Princess Buildings
- Halifax Swimming Pool
- Town Hall
- Six schools.
Combined heat and power plant in Todmorden
The Todmorden Sports Centre has a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant that generates around 60% of the site's electricity and uses the waste heat from this process to warm the building. Since 2000, this has saved around 550 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum.
Further information
Association for the Conservation of Energy|
The association aims to encourage a national awareness of the need for and benefits of energy conservation, and help to establish sensible and consistent national policies and programmes and increase investment in energy saving measures.
Energy Saving Trust|
The Trust focuses on delivering practical energy conservation solutions for households, small firms and the road transport sector.
The Centre for Sustainable Energy| is an independent charity which aims to advance sustainable energy policy and practice. CSE seeks environmentally sound and affordable energy solutions that meet the needs of and engage with people and communities.
