In many
offices and businesses, the term "conserving energy" can be a
euphemism for feeling uncomfortably warm in the summer months,
wearing extra layers indoors in the winter and dimming the
lights year round — all to reduce energy consumption. On the
other hand, energy performance contracting, a comprehensive
partnership between Boise State University and Siemens Energy
Services & Solutions, will not only decrease the amount of
energy the university consumes, but actually improve the
indoor comfort of campus buildings.
“Improvements will be designed and engineered to provide the
best learning and work environment possible, because it’s not
just about energy — it’s about education,” said Siemens
account executive/manager David Naccarato.
“One of the best parts of this project is that the guaranteed
energy savings are what pay for the facility improvements,”
Naccarato said. When the financing for the improvements is
retired, the project will have paid for itself at no cost to
taxpayers.
Additionally, most of the upgrade work, in the range of $7-$10
million, will be contracted to Idaho companies, providing a
boost to the local economy.
This project follows Boise State’s successful efforts to
reduce energy consumption to the tune of a quarter million
dollars annually in avoided utility bills. Fine-tuning
building control systems, combined with efforts of people
across campus to conserve energy through simple tasks such as
remembering to turn off lights and coffee makers, has already
yielded about a 10 percent reduction in the university’s
energy bill, said university engineer Einar Norton.
“We are really making a concerted effort to manage the
taxpayers’ funds responsibly,” said Norton. “We have taken
some major steps and have achieved some really fantastic
results.
“The performance contract will be the next logical step in
continuing to conserve energy and now replace our older
equipment.”
A comprehensive audit of energy use on the Boise State campus
is being conducted by Siemens and is expected to be completed
by December. Retrofits and improvements could begin as
early as spring 2004, lasting 18-24 months. Some of the
modifications under discussion for the performance contract
include:
* Lighting technology that improves indoor lighting without
undue harshness, glare or uncomfortable spectrums.
* Better heating and air-conditioning controls designed to
minimize the “hot and cold” spots that plague many buildings.
* Automated lighting controls so you don’t have to remember to
turn the lights out when you leave a room.
* Better balance and mix of fresh air to maintain a healthy
indoor environment while at the same time taking advantage of
natural outside heating or cooling.
* Campus-wide trash compacting to save the university money
and reduce landfill demand.
* Comprehensive water network and fixture redesign to maximize
water resources and minimize waste.
* New window technology that allows the natural light in, but
keeps solar heat and harmful ultraviolet radiation out.
* Comprehensive replacement of aging equipment and mechanical
systems with new high-efficiency and better-performing
systems.
* Utility information management software that allows campus
engineers to better measure, monitor and manage overall energy
consumption.
Naccarato said Boise State’s plan was “innovative, open and
comprehensive in its approach to reducing utilities
consumption as well as improving the overall learning,
teaching, research and work environment.”
“I believe that this project can serve as a benchmark for
universities nationwide,” he said.
##
Contact
Einar Norton
Boise State
208 426-2481
David Naccarato
Siemens
208 890-1426
Media contact
Pat Pyke
Boise State communications and marketing
208 426-1987
