BUFFALO GROVE, Ill., July 30, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- When it comes to high-tech intelligence, can a grade school out-smart a college? How about a hospital versus an office building? This week, a group of judges will provide answers.
Fifteen facilities from across the United States are finalists in the competition to win the Siemens Smartest Building in America™ Challenge according to Christoph Vogel, vice president of Control Products and Systems (CPS), Building Technologies Division of Siemens Industry, Inc. A panel of five industry experts will determine which facilities will earn the Smartest Building in America title and win up to $25,000 worth of building technologies products and services from Siemens, he said.
The challenge, which ended July 15, attracted nearly 5,000 visitors to its web site. "We've seen a tremendous amount of interest from people who want to learn about the Challenge, how to compete and how to make their buildings smarter," Vogel said. "So far, interest is spread among people representing a variety of facilities, including schools, hospitals, an art museum, an Internet company and government facilities."
The Challenge finalists, appearing in random order, include:
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Upper Merion Area School District, Candlebrook Elementary School
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CME Group, GFX Corporation's High Density Data Center
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Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, E. Donnell Thomas Building
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City of Seattle, Parks Department, Northgate Civic Center
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Elizabethtown College, Nicarry Hall
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Greenwich Hospital
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Manchester College's Science Center
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Childress Klein Properties, Duke Energy Center
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Iowa Central Community College
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Hilton Worldwide office building
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Grand View University Rasmussen Building
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Compass Rose Consulting, Isabella EEB Project
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Cold Climate Housing Research Center
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Arkansas Department of Environment Quality
- Texas Women's University
The Smartest Building in America™ Challenge highlights how people use the sophisticated technology that keeps America's buildings operating. The Challenge looks for innovative and creative approaches taken by facility managers. The deadline for entering the 2010 challenge was July 15. Any facility that operates either APOGEE® or TALON® building automation systems was eligible for nomination. Participants were asked to submit brief videos that explain why their buildings are the smartest in America. Entries can be viewed at www.smartestbuildinginamerica.com.
Grand-prize winners will receive $25,000 in products and services from the Building Technologies Division or a $25,000 contribution to a qualified charity of their choice. Runner-up prize winners will receive $15,000 in products and services from the Building Technologies Division or a $15,000 contribution to a qualified charity of their choice. Go to www.smartestbuildinginamerica.com for more information.
About Siemens
Siemens Industry, Inc. (SII) is the U.S. affiliate of Siemens' global Industry Sector business—the world's leading supplier of production, transportation and building technology solutions. The company's integrated hardware and software technologies enable comprehensive industry-specific solutions for industrial and infrastructure providers to increase their productivity, sustainability and profitability. The Industry Sector includes six divisions: Building Technologies, Industry Automation, Industry Solutions, Mobility, Drive Technologies and OSRAM SYLVANIA. With nearly 222,000 Siemens Industry Sector employees worldwide, the Industry Sector posted a worldwide profit of $2.7 billion on revenues of $47.7 billion in fiscal 2009. www.usa.siemens.com/Industry
A division of Siemens Industry, Inc. (SII), Building Technologies (BT) Division is a leading provider of energy and environmental solutions, building controls, electrical distribution equipment, fire safety and security systems solutions. BT's solutions enable America's buildings to be more comfortable, secure and environmentally friendly as well as less costly to operate. With a U.S. headquarters in Buffalo Grove, Ill., BT employs 7,400 people and provides a full range of services and solutions from more than 100 locations coast-to-coast. Worldwide, the company has 28,000 employees and operates from more than 500 locations in 51 countries. The Building Technologies Division posted worldwide revenues of $8.1 billion in fiscal 2009. www.usa.siemens.com/buildingtechnologies