Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., working in cooperation with the Department of General Services, has completed a performance-based contract to reduce energy consumption at the Commonwealth's Health & Welfare Building and Labor & Industry Building in Harrisburg.

 

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.

 

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.

 

For more information, visit the Siemens Building Technologies webpage.