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Need To Reduce Energy Costs? Siemens Helps Laboratories Take Control

When Wayne State University’s team began Phase II of its Chemistry building renovation, it was stumped by a seemingly simple question. Use a single blade damper terminal or a Venturi air valve technology to control its laboratory ventilation and exhaust system?

by Siemens Healthcare

They had used both technologies in separate, previous projects. And while the scope of each project was the same, they found a huge disparity in costs. That led to a full-blown independent review of the two technologies. They chose the Siemens single-blade damper air terminal.

That choice provided Wayne State with significant energy savings. It also provided an example of the critical nature every detail has in a laboratory’s efforts to improve efficiency.

“Laboratories are among the biggest energy consumers in any facility,” says Franco Atassi – Director of Life Science Solutions from the Building Technologies division of Siemens Industry, Inc. “Whether in a university, healthcare or corporate setting, they conform to a set of safety codes and standards; need specific ventilation rates using a non-circulated supply of fresh air; require precise environmental control, and demand high thermal load due to heat emitting lab equipment. These special requirements help drive energy costs in labs to be three- to eight- times greater than the average office building.”

A leading expert in critical environments, Siemens understands how every detail impacts long-term energy savings and efficiency. It’s the only building automation systems provider with a complete package of laboratory controls. Its approach to laboratory energy solutions are built around four core competencies:

  • Assessment and Benchmarking
  • Technical Solutions
  • Information Management
  • Service Solutions

Assessment

During its qualification assessments, Siemens evaluates both energy usage and overall compliance and benchmarks against the latest codes and standards. In addition to identifying potential energy improvements, Siemens finds ways to use existing equipment more efficiently.

Technical Solutions

Increasing energy efficiency is where Siemens technology excels. In laboratories, ventilation and cooling can account for two-thirds of energy use. Siemens employs a host of technologies and Facility Improvement Measures – FIMs, to make these processes more efficient. A typical solution may include variable air volume controls, occupancy monitoring, low flow/high performance fume hoods, sash management, thermal load decoupling, and a combination of other technologies.

Information Management

Siemens helps various facility users and operators manage their data and use what’s relevant to their needs. Siemens helps laboratories monitor conditions, including energy consumption, with its Energy Monitoring and Control (EMC) tool. EMC pulls data from throughout a laboratory. It offers seven specific reports including overall energy consumption updates, room environment summaries, fume hood performance and air volume drivers. Laboratory managers also use its reports and data archiving to meet documentation requirements for ventilation system performance.

Service Solutions

Proper service is critical to ensure energy efficiency and compliance within a laboratory environment. Siemens provides its clients with expert service professionals well versed in building technologies and laboratory regulations. As a result, services offered help ensure both long-term optimum system performance and continuous regulatory and accreditation compliance.

Once considered improbable, Siemens is making laboratories energy efficient. Its solutions are in use at university research laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and even at one forensic lab that achieved LEED™ certification, a designation of environmentally friendly building design given by the United States Green Building Council.

Siemens laboratory technologies and services are available from any of its 100 branch offices nationwide. To learn more about Siemens solutions for energy efficient laboratories, go to: usa.siemens.com/lifesciences