Seminary to Improve Energy Efficiency with $500,000 Performance Contract

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TAC to Install Energy Saving Measures Estimated to Reduce Utility Costs by More than $50,000 Annually

DALLAS – May 14, 2007 – The Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., has signed a $500,000 performance contract with the Energy Solutions division of TAC. A world leader in building automation, security and energy solutions, TAC will provide facility upgrades to improve operations, comfort and efficiency in the seminary’s buildings. Southeastern Baptist will reduce utility costs by nearly $53,000 annually when the project is completed in the spring of 2007.

TAC is delivering this project through performance contracting, a turnkey contracting method whereby the design, construction, commissioning and performance measurement are incorporated into one guaranteed fixed price. Improved facility efficiency and comfort are among the long-term results TAC delivers as the single provider accountable for all aspects of the project. Performance contracting projects are funded in a variety of ways, including general obligation bond funds, maintenance reserve funds, and financing secured against guaranteed energy savings. TAC guarantees the amount of savings the projects will achieve and agrees to pay the difference if that amount is not realized. Typically, new, more efficient equipment and upgraded facility automation systems generate the utility savings, as well as maximize energy efficiency and improve occupant comfort.

Administrators at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary were concerned about high energy and water costs, aging buildings, and the lack of a unified control system. In addition, the maintenance staff had limited time to perform preventative projects on the fast-growing campus. Officials with the city of Wake Forest encouraged the seminary, one of the city’s largest electric customers, to pursue the performance contracting option as a solution that would save both electricity and water.

“Thanks to the energy saving performance contract from TAC, we will be able to improve the overall efficiency of the campus without additional budget funds,” said Ryan Hutchinson, senior vice president for business and administration at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. “The performance contract will lower the average operating cost per square foot in our buildings, and the project will reduce our utility budget by 10 percent or more. This allows Southeastern Baptist to apply more funds toward our educational mission, not buildings.”

[an error occurred while processing this directive] TAC is implementing energy conservation measures (ECMs) in 11 campus buildings that encompass more than 300,000 square feet. These ECMs include an expanded and upgraded energy management system (EMS), an energy-efficient lighting retrofit, and installing high efficiency water and restroom fixtures.

“Students, faculty and other staff at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary will enjoy a better learning and working environment as a result of these facility updates,” said Wes McDaniel, vice president of TAC Energy Solutions. “With the new EMS, the facility staff will have better control over campus buildings for maintenance and troubleshooting.”

McDaniel notes that the Southeastern Baptist will save 556,410 kWh of electricity annually, which reduces CO2 emissions from power plants by 417 tons. This is equal to taking 72 cars off the roads or planting 114 acres of trees. In addition, the seminary will also save 2.3 million gallons of water annually because of the new efficient plumbing fixtures.

About TAC
TAC is a leading provider of building automation solutions based on Open Integrated Systems for Building IT. TAC's mission is to provide added value through building environment services for indoor climate, security and use of energy, delivered with advanced technology to end users and property owners throughout the world. With over 80 years of experience in the HVAC, building automation and security arenas, TAC employs more than 5,000 people worldwide, with partners and branches in 80 countries. TAC's parent company, Schneider Electric, is the world leader in automation and electricity management, with 112,000 employees worldwide and operations in 190 countries.  For more information visit www.tac.com

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