Project will upgrade building systems, lighting and more across campus facilities
BUFFALO GROVE, Ill., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Louisville (U of L) is moving quickly to achieve a greener, more sustainable future for its Belknap Campus with the help of a comprehensive, $21.7 million energy and resource efficiency improvement project delivered by the Building Technologies Division of Siemens Industry, Inc. The campus-wide effort, among the largest of its kind in the region, is on a fast track -- one that when finished will significantly lower its overall carbon footprint and realize enough energy savings to reduce equivalent energy costs by more than $2.3 million annually.
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"The project is good news on two fronts," said U of L president James Ramsey, "It will allow the university to continue its commitment to the environment and sustainability, while allowing U of L to upgrade its facilities during a tough financial period. We'll be making the campus greener and saving money as we go."
Following an intensive and interactive process, Siemens specified a fully-realized package of facility improvements encompassing a broad variety of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system upgrades, building automation and lighting control retrofits, as well as water conservation strategies. Beginning July 2008, Siemens' team worked alongside the U of L Physical Plant staff to conduct the extensive facility and building system auditing regimen necessary to evaluate energy and resource consumption, define recommended improvements, and then calculate potential energy savings. Implementation of the campus-wide project has commenced and is scheduled for completion December 2010.
At the heart of the project is Siemens' performance contract, which guarantees the amount of energy that will be saved. Financing is predicated on this guarantee -- Siemens will make up the difference if the energy savings goal is not met. Financed over a period of 13.5 years, the project is expected to reduce the university's electricity use by more than 20 percent and natural gas and coal consumption by some 40 percent annually. Once all of the system upgrades and improvements are made, the energy saved will result in an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of some 55 million pounds, which translates into accrued environmental benefits equivalent to removing 4,600 cars from the road, planting 177 acres of trees, or not consuming 133 rail cars of coal.
About Siemens:
Building Technologies
A division of Siemens Industry, Inc. (SII), Building Technologies (BT) Division is a leading provider of energy and environmental solutions, building controls, electrical distribution equipment, fire safety and security systems solutions. BT's solutions enable America's buildings to be more comfortable, secure and environmentally friendly as well as less costly to operate. With a U.S. headquarters in Buffalo Grove, Ill., BT employs 7,400 people and provides a full range of services and solutions from more than 100 locations coast-to-coast. Worldwide, the company has 28,000 employees and operates from more than 500 locations in 51 countries. The Building Technologies Division posted worldwide revenues of $9.02 billion in fiscal 2008. www.usa.siemens.com/buildingtechnologies
Siemens Industry
Siemens Industry, Inc. (SII) is the U.S. affiliate of Siemens' global Industry Sector business -- the world's leading supplier of production, transportation and building technology solutions. The company's integrated hardware and software technologies enable comprehensive industry-specific solutions for industrial and infrastructure providers to increase their productivity, sustainability and profitability. The Industry Sector includes six divisions: Building Technologies, Industry Automation, Industry Solutions, Mobility, Drive Technologies and OSRAM SYLVANIA. With nearly 222,000 Siemens Industry Sector employees worldwide, the Industry Sector posted a worldwide profit of $5.82 billion on revenues of $57 billion in fiscal 2008. www.usa.siemens.com/Industry
SOURCE Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.
