Envision Charlotte Teams Up with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department, CH2M Hill, Itron, Siemens and Verizon for its Smart Water Now Program
Program provides global model for environmental sustainability and economic growth for all communities
(3BL Media) Charlotte, NC - July 18, 2012 - CH2M Hill, Envision Charlotte, Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI), Siemens and Verizon (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), today announced that Envision Charlotte -- a unique public-private initiative that leverages sustainability for economic growth as a model for all communities -- is launching its second model program, Smart Water Nowsm. Smart Water Nowsm is a water measurement and efficiency program that will follow the first-of-its-kind Smart Energy Now® program already underway.
Envision Charlotte and the City of Charlotte are collaborating with leading solution providers to design and install the system. CH2M Hill is managing the entire project; Itron is providing water communication modules, the network infrastructure, cloud services and data aggregation; and Verizon will gather the water usage data from a network of machine-to-machine (M2M) devices and transport near real-time information to kiosks utilizing its 4G LTE network. Siemens is providing project support.
Building occupants can track the city’s progress on interactive kiosks, smart phones and web sites along with existing energy information. The design has been established, the downtown surveys have begun and Envision Charlotte expects to have its new program in place in the fall of 2012.
“These solution providers are demonstrating innovation and leadership by providing their expertise, technology and services to help us create models for communities anywhere in the world,” said Tom Shircliff, Chairman, Envision Charlotte. “The teamwork between our partners is unparalleled.”
Like its sister program for energy, Smart Water Nowsm will aggregate information into a single number representing the total uptown usage, then drive awareness and behavior change to reduce consumption. The results will lower operational costs, improve sustainability, engage occupants and contribute to the overall value proposition of working and living in Center City. “Our Center City offers one of the most compelling cases in the country for attracting business and talent and this Envision Charlotte program adds another significant facet,” said Michael Smith, Chairman and CEO, Charlotte Center City Partners.
The City of Charlotte and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department (CMUD) support Envision Charlotte’s vision and play a foundational role in the initiative. “Envision Charlotte is creating a model for communities and demonstrating the link between sustainability and growth,” said Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, who pushed for the initiative’s creation. “I applaud the leadership and innovation from our utility and the solution partners with whom they are working. Charlotte is the first city in the world to endeavor to reduce the carbon footprint of its central business district and together we are working to make Center City Charlotte the most environmentally sustainable center city on the planet.”
CH2M Hill is managing the entire project. “CH2M HILL is excited to be part of this collaborative partnership to help Charlotte and its citizens become a sustainable city of the future,” said Brian Casey, CH2MHILL Vice President and Smart Water Nowsm Program Manager. “Our world is increasingly interconnected and we believe sustainability is about identifying and solving interrelated challenges with an integrated approach. With our roots in the water industry and a strong commitment to supporting the communities where we live and work, we are pleased to bring our experts, our thought leadership and our experience in managing the dynamic water-energy-carbon nexus to this effort to create social, economic and environmental value. We applaud Envision Charlotte for their leadership in sustainability.”
Itron is providing water communication modules, the network infrastructure, cloud services and data aggregation. “Itron is pleased to participate in this innovative program. Working collaboratively—cities, utilities, governments, private sector businesses and technology partners—we can transform the way the energy and water is consumed and managed,” said Mark deVere-White, senior vice president, of Itron North America. “As smart city initiatives, like Charlotte’s, continue to expand, the convergence of energy and water data under a unified, common platform will simplify this transformation and help shape a sustainable future.”
Verizon will gather the water usage data from a network of machine-to-machine (M2M) devices and transport near real-time information to kiosks utilizing its 4G LTE network. “The Envision Charlotte project is yet another case of using 4G LTE technology to benefit the public in a secure and reliable way,’’ said Mike Brander, vice president for Verizon’s global energy and utilities practice. “Through machine-to-machine technology, this endeavor helps change behavior and lifestyles while helping shape energy efficiency. Using 4G LTE technology is a catalyst, and Verizon is parlaying our business expertise in conjunction with Envision Charlotte to impact how we live.’’
Siemens is providing project support. “Siemens is pleased to collaborate with all the partners associated with this forward-thinking and innovative project,” said Dave Hopping, vice president and Business Unit Lead for Siemens Building Technologies Division. “Since the National League of Cities forum last September we have increasingly realized the need to use Catawba River water resources more efficiently. The Water Pillar goals perfectly align with Siemens expertise in helping building owners reduce energy and water consumption. Helping to create the Smart Water Now™ network is the logical first step and provides a laboratory for an innovative solution.”
About CH2M Hill
Employee-owned CH2M HILL is a global leader in consulting, design, design-build, operations, and program management for government, civil, industrial and energy clients. The firm’s work is concentrated in the areas of water, transportation, environmental, energy, facilities and resources. With US$6.4 billion in revenue and 30,000 employees, CH2M HILL is an industry-leading program management, construction management and design firm, as ranked by Engineering News-Record and named a leader in sustainable engineering by Verdantix. The firm has been named a FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For five times. Visit us at http://www.ch2mhill.com/, twitter.com/ch2mhill and facebook.com/ch2mhill.
About CMUD:
The largest public water and wastewater utility in the Carolinas, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department (CMUD) serves more than 788,000 customers in the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County -- including the towns of Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville, Huntersville, Davidson, and Cornelius. Providing both high-quality drinking water and wastewater services, CMUD has an annual operating budget of $286 million. The CMUD operating budget is funded strictly from water and sewer bill payment, while capital improvements are paid for mostly through the sale of bonds. CMUD operates 3 water treatment plants, 5 wastewater treatment plants, and maintains more than 8000 miles of water distribution and wastewater collection pipes.
About Itron:
Itron is a leading provider of energy and water resource management solutions for nearly 8,000 utilities around the world. We offer end-to-end solutions that include electricity, gas, water and thermal energy measurement and control technology; communications systems; software; and professional services. With more than 9,000 employees doing business in more than 130 countries, Itron empowers utilities to responsibly and efficiently manage energy and water resources. To realize a sustainable future, start here: http://www.itron.com/.
About Verizon:
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with 93 million retail customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500. A Dow 30 company with $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 192,000. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.
About Siemens:
Siemens Infrastructure & Cities Sector, with approximately 87,000 employees worldwide, offers sustainable technologies for metropolitan areas and their infrastructures. Its offerings include complete traffic and transportation systems, intelligent logistics, efficient energy supply, environmentally compatible building technologies, modernization of the way power is transmitted and distributed, and smart consumption of electricity. The sector is comprised of the Rail Systems, Mobility and Logistics, Low and Medium Voltage, Smart Grid and Building Technologies Divisions as well as Osram Sylvania. For more information, visit www.usa.siemens.com/infrastructure-cities
For additional information contact:
CH2M HILL
Lori Irvine
Public Relations Manager
720-286-3137
Envision Charlotte
Moira Quinn
Center City Partners
704-332-9583
mquinn@charlottecentercity.org
Itron, Inc.
Sharelynn Moore
Vice President, Corporate Communications
509.891.3524
sharelynn.moore@itron.com
Siemens
Steven E. Kuehn
Media Relations
847-941-6047
Tel: 847-941-6047
Mobile: 847-922-9384
Verizon
Stefanie Scott
Verizon
512-495-6730
