Queensland ACES school sustainability with help from RPS

Queensland Minister for Education, the Hon. Grace Grace has revealed the next round of state schools to benefit from sustainability upgrades as part of a major program of work shaped by RPS.

Advancing Clean Energy Schools (ACES) will reduce energy costs for more than 800 of Queensland’s 1,240 state schools via energy efficiency upgrades over the next three years. Work has already begun with photovoltaic (solar) panel installations and a range of other power and money-saving measures underway.

RPS has been supporting the Department of Education Queensland’s ACES Program since March 2019, engaged to provide program advisory and project management services for the initiative.

Drawing on decades of experience supporting the delivery of multi-million dollar physical and social infrastructure investment programs–from hospitals and schools to transport, utilities, defence and telecommunications–RPS has created significant efficiencies for ACES through proprietary technology, a pragmatic approach to value-for-money delivery and local expertise. 

“Upping the sustainability performance of public schools is a major opportunity for Queensland, and we’re extremely proud to be helping the Department of Education and its partners maximise the value of Queensland’s investment in ACES,” said RPS Chief Executive for Australia Asia Pacific, Ross Thompson.

“By investing in solar energy, smart metering and other power-saving measures, the department can not only unlock significant operational cost savings but also contribute significantly to the achievement of Queensland’s 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030.”

In establishing the Advancing Clean Energy Schools program management office, the team has streamlined project planning, delivery and reporting through RPS’ own software – myProjects – a solution that is enhancing delivery performance, strengthening governance and streamlining financial management and reporting for the program. Using myProjects is also helping ACES delivery partners and schools to prioritise safety compliance.

“At RPS, our goal is to help clients navigate the complexities of project investigation, planning, procurement and delivery with confidence. We are passionate about helping communities deliver projects that add real value.

“Nothing fits better with this mission than assisting the Queensland Government to navigate towards a more sustainable future through cleaner, greener, more efficient schools,” Mr Thompson concluded.