Two Pennsylvania Capitol Complex Buildings Set To Achieve 30 Percent Energy Savings Through Efficiency Upgrades, Solar Panel Arr
June 11 2009 - 3:22PM
PR Newswire (US)
Project's photovoltaic system continues Commonwealth's commitment
to renewable energy BUFFALO GROVE, Ill., June 11 /PRNewswire/ --
Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., working in cooperation with
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of General Services
(DGS), has completed a performance-based contract to reduce energy
consumption at the Commonwealth's Health & Welfare Building and
Labor & Industry Building in Harrisburg, the state's capital.
The comprehensive package of building improvements to the two
50-year-old structures are expected to achieve a 30 percent
reduction in energy throughout the 750,000 square feet of office
space at both locations. The project also continues the
implementation of photovoltaic energy systems at agency facilities
and demonstrates the Department's commitment to renewable,
alternative energy resources to promote more sustainable
operations. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO ) (Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090611/NY31445-a ) (Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090611/NY31445-b ) Siemens'
Energy & Environmental Solutions team worked closely with DGS
to conduct extensive engineering surveys, design improvement
measures and calculate the potential energy savings. Following an
interactive process of presentations and evaluations with DGS
officials, Siemens secured an $8.2 million performance contract for
a broad array of improvements that include a 10-kW solar energy
system, building automation control improvements, heating
ventilation and air conditioning system enhancements, and low-flow
plumbing fixtures. The project also included the replacement of
more than 2,000 of the structures' original windows. Throughout the
entire construction project Siemens performed all renovation and
facility improvement work without disrupting operations at either
facility. For example, during the previous year and throughout the
changing seasons window replacement crews worked from 5 p.m. to 2
a.m., with all affected workspaces restored and ready for occupancy
by 7 a.m. each day. The contract, awarded December 2007, is now
finished with all aspects of the project being completed as of
June, 2009. Under the terms of the performance-based agreement,
Siemens Building Technologies guarantees the reduction in energy
use over a 15-year period. The Commonwealth will save the
equivalent of nearly $800,000 in energy costs during the first
year, escalating by approximately 5 percent per year thereafter.
Total program energy savings estimates are expected reduce
equivalent energy expenses some $15 million over the life of the
contract. According to DGS, net energy cost savings to the
taxpayers are in excess of $2 million. According to Siemens, the
overall environmental impact of this project translates into annual
greenhouse gas emission reductions equivalent to 104,276 acres of
forest preserved, 639 railcars of coal left unburned, 27,206 cars
removed from the roads, or 291,002 barrels of oil left unused.
Scott Layne, who leads the Mid Atlantic energy business for Siemens
Building Technologies points out there are several more
opportunities for similar energy-saving projects at other
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania facilities. "Siemens was able to
demonstrate its capability to effect large-scale energy efficiency
improvement projects beyond our traditional building automation
controls discipline. We helped the Commonwealth and DGS achieve
significant energy savings and are guarantying the results. We're
particularly proud of our implementation of solar power at this
site." All those familiar with this project agree that this a
flagship achievement for DGS and that it will demonstrate to the
citizens of Pennsylvania the value and importance of implementing
energy efficiency improvements in all government facilities. To
further support the energy savings and sustainability that will
result from the project, Siemens installed a Green TouchScreen
display console in the lobby of the Labor & Industry Building.
The interactive system, accessible to all visitors, displays
real-time energy data and other information, including output from
the buildings solar photovoltaic energy system. As a leading
provider of energy and environmental solutions, building controls,
fire safety and security systems solutions, Siemens Building
Technologies, Inc., makes buildings comfortable, safe, secure and
less costly to operate. With U.S. headquarters in Buffalo Grove,
Ill., Siemens Building Technologies 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. For more information on Siemens Building Technologies,
visit: http://www.usa.siemens.com/buildingtechnologies.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090611/NY31445-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090611/NY31445-b
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Siemens Building
Technologies, Inc. CONTACT: Steven E. Kuehn, +1-847-941-6047, Web
Site: http://www.usa.siemens.com/buildingtechnologies
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