Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. announced today the implementation of an energy savings performance contract project with West Virginia University (WVU) to significantly reduce the annual energy and water usage at its Morgantown campus facilities. The project is being administered through a comprehensive program of energy-efficient capital improvements financed by the savings generated from avoided energy costs over a 10-year period.
"This project will benefit WVU by reducing energy costs by providing the University with more energy efficient and comfortable facilities that are equipped with many new improvements, says Narvel Weese, WVU's Vice President for Administration and Finance. "We have been challenged over the years to try and upgrade, improve and maintain equipment that doesn't meet modern-day energy efficient standards. This project will go a long way toward meeting that challenge, and build on other campus efficiency projects.
These conservation improvements have been designed to reduce electrical, heating and cooling demands, as well as lower water usage. Once completed, annual energy savings are anticipated to reach 7,791,600 kilowatt hours of electricity and 43,099,000 pounds of steam. According to Siemens, over the 10-year contract period this will reduce emissions of typical greenhouse gases (CO2, NOX and SO2) by more than 1.6 billion pounds(1) and save the equivalent of some 140,000 barrels of crude oil.
Under the $7.8 million first phase of the energy savings contract, Siemens will finance the purchase and installation of energy-saving lighting, building automation controls and programming, chillers, steam traps, process water conversion and side stream filtration, weatherization and other energy and water savings improvements to WVU's buildings.
In the first phase campus buildings involved include the Mineral Resources, Engineering Sciences, and Engineering Research buildings, the National Research Center for Coal and Energy, WVU's greenhouse, the Evansdale Library, and the Agricultural Sciences Annex. Also slated for improvements are the chiller plant building, the Brooke Tower and the Creative Arts Center. The second, third and fourth phases are scheduled to follow at 18-month intervals.
Joe Fisher, associate vice president for facilities and services at WVU, notes that "Old, broken-down equipment will be eliminated, and routine maintenance required to keep the old equipment running will be reduced, allowing staff to focus on other work. The effect will be to free-up otherwise over-burdened capital budgets, say University officials, enabling it to address other, more pressing infrastructure needs while improving the quality of life for students, faculty and staff.
This project supplements other energy efficiency improvements under way on campus. For example, WVU is working to meet the energy-efficiency standards of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification program in Oglebay Hall, where three heat-recovery units planned for installation in the attic will significantly lower its energy usage bill.
Other renovations include the installation of a vegetative "green roof on Brooks Hall, which will employ plants to improve insulation and reduce storm water runoff; energy-efficient lighting and air handlers with integrated heat recovery. Energy-efficient lighting and air handlers will be installed in Colson Hall as well. Also, the new South Agricultural Sciences Building will receive a heat recovery system to reclaim heat from the fume hood exhaust.
WVU is West Virginia's flagship comprehensive research university, enrolling over 27,000 students at its main campus in Morgantown. WVU is among only 151 institutions designated as a Research University (High Research Activity) by the Carnegie Foundation. As a leader in providing supportive programs that enhance the student learning and living experience, WVU has educational facilities that are modern and technologically sophisticated. The vibrant community of Morgantown offers countless cultural and recreational opportunities for students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information on WVU, visit: http://www.wvu.edu
As a leading provider of energy and environmental solutions, building controls and fire safety and security system solutions, Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., makes buildings comfortable, safe, productive, more efficient and less costly to operate. With U.S. headquarters in Buffalo Grove, Ill., Siemens Building Technologies employs 7,200 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 at a total of more than 500 locations in 51 countries.
(1) Sylvania QuickAudit emissions calculator
For more information on Siemens Building Technologies, visit: www.usa.siemens.com/buildingtechnologies
