Energy efficiency in schools

Accompanying scientific project on the ‘energy efficiency in schools’ research project

Client

Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi)

Duration 2007 – 2017 (2007 – 2011 Phase 1, 2012 – 2017 Phase 2)

Background

While modern heating systems or appropriate thermal insulation have for a long time now already been taken for granted in many private households, there is a shortage of effective energy efficiency measures in municipal areas. For example, about 20,000 school buildings in Germany are a considerable burden on the municipalities’ budgets. Hence, the ‘Energy Efficiency in Schools’ (EnEff:Schule) project was started throughout Germany in 2006, in which various school buildings are being modernised in a Public Private Partnership between the public sector, science and business.

Project goals and results

Besides the reduction of energy consumption, a further aspect of the project is that students experience the process as part of the curriculum and their awareness is raised for the need to use energy in a responsible way. The financing model is an important incentive for municipalities to join the project. The energy efficiency measures are in most cases self-financing through the savings in energy.

Tasks of IREES

  • On the part of IREES, the emphasis of the project is on the accompanying research of social aspects. IREES examines the effectiveness of accompanying educational schemes and the acceptance of the measures taken. In addition to the pupils and students, teachers, caretakers and parents are target groups for informative programmes. Different types of evaluation methods are conducted:

    • questionnaires,
    • intensive interviews,
    • group discussions,
    • participating observation at events and
    • analyses of energy-related data in connection with user behaviour.

Project partner

  • Fraunhofer IBP

  • Hochschule München

STAFF

Dr. Karin Schakib-Ekbatan
Dr. Karin Schakib-Ekbatan