Department of Administrative Services

Press Release

For Immediate Release	For More Information:
January 16, 2009	Laura Riordan, 515-242-5038

 

Keeping an eye on government energy use

Any visitor to the Capitol can monitor buildings on the Complex

DES MOINES — Visiting the Iowa State Capitol is always a special experience. Now, in addition to marveling at the rich heritage of architecture and history, visitors can experience a high-tech review of energy saving measures implemented by state government.

An "Eye on Energy" touch-screen kiosk, located outside the offices of Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge and designed by Quality Automation Graphics in Ankeny, provides real-time information on energy consumption for 14 separate buildings on the Capitol Complex, as well as a campus-wide meter. Additionally, the interactive 3-D program lists building-specific energy efficiency measures taken by the State, historical insight into each structure and photographs of the buildings. It also gives step-by-step educational demonstrations of how energy-producing and energy-saving systems work.

The ability to monitor utilities on the Capitol Complex is the result of networking technology created by Siemens Building Technologies. Real-time information provided for the public includes simulated electrical meters that give real-time readings. In addition to now being able to provide this information to citizens, this type of system will help engineers for the State optimize energy management on the Capitol Complex, thus saving taxpayer dollars. This is also a trending and forecasting system that will help predict energy purchases at the optimum time and price.

Through effective energy efficiency measures, the State of Iowa is saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars every year. This emerging monitoring technology - and the transparency with which it is being displayed - helps all Iowans to better understand the commitment state government has made to lead the way in energy conservation and green technologies as has been ordered by Governor Culver's Executive Order Number 6.

About the Iowa Department of Administrative Services (DAS)
DAS was created July 1, 2003, as a way to manage and coordinate the major resources of state government; its mission is to provide high quality, affordable infrastructure products and services to Iowa state government customers in a manner that empowers them to provide better service to the citizens of Iowa and support the State of Iowa in achieving economic growth.  http://das.iowa.gov/

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