University of North Texas Partners with Schneider Electric to Drive Energy Efficiency on Campus

$42 million energy efficiency project with Schneider Electric kicks off to develop smart and sustainable buildings at university and drive green practices on campus

Dallas – September 29, 2010 – Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, has been awarded a $42.4 million performance contracting project from the University of North Texas (UNT) to improve energy efficiency, operations, reliability and comfort in 5.4 million square feet of the university’s main campus facilities. The university and Schneider Electric will partner on development of smart buildings that can improve operations and reduce energy and carbon emissions. As a result of the energy audit and system upgrade, scheduled to be complete in December 2013, UNT will be able to cut energy costs by 17 percent and reduce water usage by 15 percent on campus. This new 20-year project follows a proven 10-year partnership between Schneider Electric and UNT on an earlier performance contracting project.

Located in Denton, Texas, just north of the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area, UNT serves more than 36,000 students throughout its sprawling campus. UNT has a history of leadership in energy efficiency as the first public university in Texas to enter into an energy savings performance contract in 1997. As a result of that project with Schneider Electric, UNT has saved $13.8 million after 10 years of performance following completion in April 2009. In a continuation of its historical leadership role, UNT is taking energy usage accountability into the public domain via the Internet. As part of this project, UNT and Schneider Electric will partner in the creation of a campus energy tracking effort accomplished through extensive submetering of buildings on campus. Data from the building energy usage will be made visible via the Internet to enable Schneider Electric and UNT stakeholders to be proactive in managing energy usage on campus in a real-time environment and driving energy awareness to faculty and students.

Using performance contracting, UNT is able to implement facility improvements, equipment upgrades and energy-efficient techniques to tackle the war on waste through a focus on “negawatts” or megawatts not used, which often deliver the best returns. Performance contracting enables organizations to achieve long-term benefits such as improved facility efficiency, occupant comfort, financial management and environmental protection.

“The University of North Texas is committed to energy efficiency and providing our students, faculty and staff with a higher level of comfort on campus,” said Charles Jackson, assistant vice president, facilities, University of North Texas. ”Through this contract, Schneider Electric brings a broad portfolio of energy management products to help meet our sustainability goals. We’ve partnered with Schneider Electric for over a decade and have experienced a 30 percent decrease in energy costs, not to mention the unprecedented reduction in our carbon footprint over the years. We look forward to building on our established relationship with Schneider Electric and making progress in achieving UNT’s sustainability goals.”

President and CEO of Schneider Electric’s Buildings Business, Chris Curtis, added: “UNT has set an example for energy efficiency leadership in the state of Texas and around the country by not only meeting, but exceeding the state’s legislative requirements directing all Texas state agencies to drive energy savings in their buildings. UNT has coined the phrase, “We Mean Green,” and by implementing these new conservation measures and moving its efforts into the public domain, UNT is living what it says. We are pleased to grow our partnership with the university and look forward to delivering additional measurable results.”

Schneider Electric will implement numerous energy conservation measures (ECMs) to 93 facilities including replacement of the existing chilled water distribution system, which will serve 39 buildings. Other ECMs to be implemented include lighting control through motion sensors, installation of water conserving fixtures, electrical power quality upgrades, electronic building automation and various HVAC upgrades. During the term of the contract, Schneider Electric will also provide on-site support, training, and expertise to ensure that facilities operate at maximum efficiency while effectively meeting the needs of students, faculty and staff.

During the 1997 performance contract with UNT, Schneider Electric performed upgrades and new installations throughout 54 campus facilities, encompassing four million square feet. By installing building management systems, the campus saw drastic improvements in the areas of heating and cooling through monitoring equipment and temperatures in the spaces. From an environmental standpoint, the energy savings achieved are equivalent to removing 206,939 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which is comparable to removing 41,387 automobiles from the roads or planting 56,287 acres of trees.

About UNT
Expert rankings in U.S. News & World Report America's Best Colleges 2010 put UNT among the top national universities that are “leading the pack” in innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus life, diversity and facilities. UNT is one of Texas' largest universities, offering 97 bachelor's, 101 master's and 48 doctoral degree programs, many nationally and internationally recognized. A student-centered public research university, UNT is the flagship of the UNT System. Discover the power of ideas.
www.unt.edu/news

About Schneider Electric
As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in energy and infrastructure, industrial processes, building automation, and data centers/networks, as well as a broad presence in residential applications. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, and efficient, the company's 100,000+ employees achieved sales of more than $22 billion in 2009, through an active commitment to help individuals and organizations “Make the most of their energy.”  www.schneider-electric.us

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