Florida A&M University Going Green with Siemens

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill., Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Increasingly, college administrators understand that the first step in greening their campuses begins with addressing the energy and resource efficiency of its buildings. Through a $2.4 million energy savings performance contract now being executed by the Building Technologies Division of Siemens Industry, Inc., Florida A&M University (FAMU) is now on the path to a greener and more sustainable campus for the students and faculty.

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"Through this contract with Siemens, FAMU will add a significant project to the list of measures that we will take to help improve the environment and reduce our energy consumption," said FAMU President James H. Ammons. "Siemens is guaranteeing cost savings, providing training for our staff and helping us to monitor and maintain the equipment.  Siemens has a vested interest to see that we generate those savings."

The Tallahassee, Fla. Campus, which encompasses 156 buildings and some 3.9 million square feet, is the largest historically black college and university in the country and home to 12,274 students. Work has already begun implementing lighting upgrades, pipe insulation, and steam trap replacements at the campus' central plant. When work concludes in spring 2010, Siemens guarantees energy savings that will provide equivalent cost savings (depending on utility rates during the ten year contract) of more than $4.1 million, enough to cover the financing and provide a return on the overall investment.

As far as sustainability is concerned, FAMU stands to gain even more. Once implemented, the retrofits and upgrades are calculated to reduce C02 emissions by 4.5 million lbs., equivalent to planting nearly 15 acres of trees. Moreover, Siemens will deliver to students and faculty a more comfortable interior environment with better management of heating, ventilation and air conditioning and lighting. For example, the color rendering of the new lighting systems are closer to that of natural light, thus reducing glare and eyestrain. With standardized lighting across the campus, lamp and other parts inventories are less costly to manage and maintain as well.

About Siemens:

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 $2.7 billion on revenues of $47.7 billion in fiscal 2009.  www.usa.siemens.com/Industry

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 $8.1 billion in fiscal 2009. www.usa.siemens.com/buildingtechnologies

About Florida A&M University:

Florida A&M University (FAMU) was founded on October 3, 1887.  Today, FAMU offers 62 bachelor's degrees and 39 master's degrees.  The university has 13 schools and colleges and one institute.  The university also offers a juris doctor at its College of Law in Orlando.  FAMU has 12 doctoral programs which include 10 Ph.D. programs: chemical engineering; civil engineering; electrical engineering; mechanical engineering; industrial engineering; biomedical engineering; physics; pharmaceutical sciences; educational leadership; and environmental sciences.  Doctorates are awarded in physical therapy and public health. With an enrollment of more than 12,000 students, FAMU is part of the State University System of Florida and is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

SOURCE Siemens Industry, Inc.