Behaviour Change and ISO 50001 implementation support

27% energy savings achieved independently measured using IPMVP, improved energy management processes and increased employee engagement 

Scope

MTCBC’s original objective was to decarbonise their gas fired heating in line with the Welsh Government’s ambition for the public sector to be carbon neutral by 2030. MTCBC’s Energy Engineer recognised that as an industry leader, JRP would be able to provide a broader scope of energy and carbon solutions and therefore, in addition to requesting a proposal for a Heat Decarbonisation Study, MTCBC also requested proposals for an Energy Behaviour Change, Gap Analysis and Pilot Scheme, ISO 50001 Gap Analysis and Implementation and an Energy Optimisation Study on their data room in the Merthyr Tydfil Civic Centre.

Phase 1 of JRP's work with MTCBC had involved working closely with the MTCBC energy team on several energy and carbon reduction projects. These included:

• A heat decarbonisation study carried out at five schools and two care homes. Outcomes included reviews of heat demand, initial design studies and recommendations including improved insulation and installation of air source heat pumps.
• An energy audit of MTCBC’s data centre which found that cooling and heating systems were competing with each other. A range of recommendations were made, including changes to the layout of the server racks to make cooling more efficient. 

For Phase 2, MTCBC’s Energy Engineer requested proposals for Gap Analyses and a Pilot Scheme to develop and implement an Energy Behaviour Change Programme and ISO 50001 Energy Management System at selected sites.The purpose of the gap analysis was to determine the internal and external resources and timescales likely to be required to develop and implement an effective ISO 50001 compliant Energy Management System (EnMS) and an effective Behaviour Change Programme.

Following approval to proceed, JRP started by interviewing of department heads to establish opportunities and challenges, conducted site visits and prepared gap analysis reports and business cases to illustrate the potential energy and cost savings. The sites selected represented a cross section of MTCBC’s estate, comprising 2 schools, a leisure centre, main civic office building, a care home and 2 mixed-use operating sites.

MTCBC’s Executive Team supported moving forward with a pilot scheme to implement a behaviour change programme at 7 sites and an ISO 50001 system at 5 of those sites. 

Independent verification confirmed significant energy savings over two years. Over the course of the programme the total electricity savings were around 21% and natural gas savings were around 31% when compared to base year consumption. The average reduction in consumption was around 27% per site on both electricity and natural gas.

Implementation outcomes and learnings

•    The behaviour change programme and ISO 50001 pilot project were successfully implemented
•    Positive feedback was received from Merthyr Executive Management 
•    Significant savings have been achieved so far and are expected to increase further
•    Ongoing support will be provided to sustain momentum and further develop both programmes
•    There are replication/expansion opportunities – e.g. training champions at other care homes
•    Behaviour change forms a key part of effective ISO 50001 implementation 

For more information, please request the full case study below.