AMERY Hill School’s ‘Paving the Way’ project has won the Judges’ Award in a national renewable community energy project competition run by M&S Energy.

While the majority of winners are selected via a public vote, Paving the Way was one of two groups to be awarded the prestigious judges’ prize.

The panel of judges consisted of writer and broadcaster Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Sir Ed Davey (chairman of Mongoose Energy and former Secretary of State for DECC), Giles Bristow (director at Forum for the Future), and Morven Smith, head of community investment at SSE.

The Amery Hill project involves installing Pavegen floor tiles, in the ICT corridor at the school which will generate electricity from students’ footsteps. The installation will enable students and staff to engage with a tangible, renewable energy solution and will help them recognise the opportunities for an innovative, off-grid energy technology within high footfall areas, regardless of the weather.

School development officer and project owner Amanda Denton said: “Amery Hill School is really excited to have won the judges’ award as it will not only help to educate our students on the benefits of green technology but those of our local primary schools and the wider community. A massive thank you to everyone who voted for us.”

The energy harnessed and converted from student and staff footsteps using the Pavegen tiles is an innovative and effective renewable energy source.

Not only does the system harvest energy but the tiles are fitted with wireless technology which will provide detailed real-time feedback on the power generated.

The energy harvested can be used to power low-voltage local applications and the school plans to use this to light the ICT corridor.

The judging panel were impressed by the school’s approach to embracing new technology.

“The Amery Hill School project is one of the most innovative projects in the competition this year,” said a spokesman for the competition.

“The judges quickly agreed on awarding this project once they saw the great video made by the students of Amery Hill School.

“The judges were impressed that a new form of technology had been proposed, but mostly they were very excited by the prospect of the whole school getting involved to power the school through just their footsteps.”

Sir Ed Davey said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to be involved in the judging panel for the M&S Energy Community Energy Fund. All the winners will make a real difference to their communities, made possible through this fund.

“The level of community support during the voting stages is a clear confirmation that community energy is thriving and communities around Great Britain want and need it.

“The judges’ prizes were for standout projects, presenting some unique and innovative ways to think about energy saving.”