Lakeland Community College is moving quickly to attain a greener, more sustainable future with the help of a comprehensive energy and resource effectiveness improvement project delivered by Siemens Constructing Technologies, Inc. The campus-wide effort, among the first of its type in the region, is on the quick track—one that when finished will significantly lower its overall carbon footprint and realize enough energy savings to decrease equivalent annual energy costs by a lot more than $500,000.
“Lakeland is committed to decreasing our own impact on the atmosphere. We also hope to be a role model for our students and employees, as well as for our county, state and nation,” mentioned Lakeland President Dr. Morris W. Beverage, Jr.
Encompassing a broad variety of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) program upgrades, lighting retrofits and constructing and facility improvements, the campus-wide project is on a really aggressive 10-month schedule according to Siemens. Among the improvements planned is the first green roof in Lake County, which will crown the S-Building with vegetation and serve as one of the more visible examples of Lakeland’s commitment to sustainability. Other elements from the task will probably be much less apparent but will nevertheless contribute a great deal to achieving the energy and resource efficiency goals mandated by House Bill 251 and guaranteed through the Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) Siemens has using the school.
“Lakeland’s price of energy is $1.7 million which represents three percent of our spending budget. Our thorough energy plan will significantly reduce our energy expenses and also reduce our carbon dioxide footprint by 38 percent; that’s about 5,300 metric tons or a lot more than a third of its current emissions measured at 14,000 tons annually.” mentioned Michael Mayher, vice president for administrative services and treasurer.
Along with financial and environmental benefits, Siemens, through its Building Education program, will assist Lakeland Community College establish a facility energy management course curriculum that will assist colleges prepare for a segment from the “green” job marketplace, an emerging career path that is increasingly relevant—especially now that the new administration looks to champion energy-efficiency upgrades towards the nation’s infrastructure including, state, federal along with other public buildings, too as commercial and industrial facilities. What will set Lakeland Community College’s program apart from its peers is the fact that its personal structures and systems will create a living learning atmosphere where colleges will be able to experience their coursework first-hand and apply what they discover directly.
Efficient energy management is fueled by information on consumption along with other key metrics—this information is vital and will be delivered to students, faculty and administrators via a number of Green TouchScreens strategically placed in campus buildings. These interfaces will translate and report information gathered through the existing constructing automation system Siemens is upgrading and improving as part from the general task.
