Dudley Council has installed new road signs using renewable energy technologies. Central island bollards, powered by a solar panel connected to a battery have been installed as part of the Brierley Hill Sustainable Access Network. The cost of solar panels are the same as installing an electricity source but without the ongoing fuel costs.

 

Boss Design based in Dudley is a market leader in the UK seating industry. It has turned the thermostats down by one degree and has reduced energy consumption by eight per cent. It has also reduced waste sent to landfill sites and is on target to reduce carbon emissions by more than 140 tonnes by the end of 2010. These activities save the company money, increasing it’s competitiveness.

 

 

Bryce Road Eco pod in Dudley is a £1.5 million development on a Brownfield site. The homes are predicted to use a quarter less water, almost a third less fuel, and can be built 20 per cent quicker. The homes include solar panels, sun pipes to channel sunlight into the houses, a ground source heat pump, water conservation measures, waste recycling facilities, and advanced insulation systems.

 

Staff and pupils at Hurst Hill Primary School are proving that adopting a common sense approach to saving energy reaps real benefits. Stuart Martin, the school’s site manager, has helped students think green and encouraged energy awareness. Posters around the school in Paul Street, Coseley, encourage staff and pupils to turn off lights, computers and whiteboards when not in the classrooms.

 

They are also encouraged to take the energy-saving message home and get their parents to turn lights off in empty rooms. Pupils save water by turning off dripping taps and all the blinds are closed at the end of the day to keep heat in, save energy and reduce fuel bills. Mr Martin says the combined effort is resulting in a significant reduction in the school’s fuel bills. He said: ”These simple measures really demonstrate how easy it is to save money and energy. The pupils really enjoy it and take pride in saving energy. I hope they continue to save energy throughout their lives.”

 

Staff and pupils at Maidensbridge Primary School in Kingswinford are celebrating after slashing their fuel bills dramatically.

 

Monitoring the amount of energy used in the school is a regular activity for pupils at the school. Doing simple things like switching of computers and lights when not in use as well as installing low energy light bulbs has reduced the electricity bill by 35%. Turning down the central heating in mild weather and the installation of a new roof and fully carpeting the school has helped gas usage fall by 48% between November 2005 and 2008.

 

The schools efforts were rewarded with its first Green Flag Award last year. These awards are given to schools that can demonstrate excellence in environmental achievement and are held for two years.

 

 

Keeping an eye on energy consumption couldn't be easier for 70-year-old Betty Robb. The retired physics teacher netted an energy monitor and a visit from experts Groundwork West Midlands to look at ways of saving fuel. Mrs Robb and her husband Alex, won the handy device in a competition in the autumn of 2009. Mrs Robb's current energy bill is around £40 and is looking forward to seeing how much that reduces after using the energy monitor to help reduce their consumption.