Case study list

Vale of Glamorgan Council

01/03/2007

Children may not be in a position to reduce domestic energy consumption through changes to the fabric or services of their homes. However, Energy Kids works on the premise that by altering their own behaviour children can act as ambassadors and reduce energy use (for example, by switching off televisions and other electrical products after use). The scheme currently operates in Newport, Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff Councils, and is delivered through partnership arrangements between the relevant council and the South East Wales Energy Agency.

Agency staff deliver a one-hour presentation to school children between the ages of seven to 11 covering the following areas:

• energy forms (eg, gas, coal, oil);
• the effects of using fossil fuels to produce energy;
• the variety of ways in which energy is used;
• methods for reducing energy use; and
• generating energy from renewable sources.

Participating children are also encouraged to complete with their parents a Home Energy Check. On receipt of these the agency provides the family with a report identifying:

• techniques for making their homes more energy efficient; and
• energy efficiency grants for which the household are eligible.

In linking the children and their families with funding sources such as the HEES, Energy Kids aims to tackle fuel poverty and the associated disadvantages experienced by those children living in fuel poverty.

The cost of the scheme is £98 plus VAT for two one-hour presentations. The Energy Agency operates a discount system of up to £50 according to the number of Home Energy Checks resulting from the presentations. Newport City Council Housing Department took the decision to use part of its domestic energy efficiency budget to fully subsidise the scheme in all its 40 schools. The Vale of Glamorgan Council provides subsidy for the first ten schools applying to take part in the scheme. Any other schools wishing to take part must fund the scheme directly.