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Siemens and UCF to Establish Big Data Collaboration Focused on Advancing Smart Infrastructure Technologies
[October 19, 2018]

Siemens and UCF to Establish Big Data Collaboration Focused on Advancing Smart Infrastructure Technologies


Today, the University of Central Florida (UCF) and Siemens (News - Alert) unveiled a new collaboration around smart infrastructure that builds on a more than 30-year relationship. The expanded partnership is aimed at improving the performance and efficiency of buildings and the energy grid by harnessing the power of data. The collaboration will include software and hardware to be installed at UCF's Smart Infrastructure Data Analytics Lab and will incorporate the existing Siemens' Digital Grid Lab.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181019005078/en/

Siemens-UCF 30-year relationship. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Siemens-UCF 30-year relationship. (Graphic: Business Wire)

"We look forward to partnering with Siemens to help build and shape the smart cities of tomorrow," said UCF President Dale Whittaker. "Together, we will prepare our students to meet the data science workforce demands of the future and produce technology efficiencies and innovations in infrastructure and energy that will benefit our community and our nation for decades to come."

Traditional building automation that integrates and controls a structure's operations from HVAC, lighting and security to other systems, now also includes digital mechanisms to link these systems together, gather data and analyze operations to provide better decision-making for building operators. The concept of smart buildings continues to evolve with new technology and software.

Siemens will integrate its MindSphere cloud-based IoT operating system, Navigator building data analytics platform, Desigo CC building management station, and other building automation hardware into the Smart Infrastructure Data Analytics Lab's facilities and corresponding building automation management systems. Utilizing Siemens software platforms, students and faculty will learn how to conduct in-depth research on data analytics focused on building systems.

"Siemens' long-time partnership with UCF is a win-win for all parties," said Dave Hopping, President of Siemens Building Technologies - North America. "Siemens gets to thoroughly test its analytics platforms as well as new software prototypes for use with various applications. We will apply those learnings to advance smart buildings. In turn, UCF students gain valuble hands-on experience and industry knowledge of real-time findings that will affect how we interact with buildings and the grid in the future."



Founded last year, Siemens' Digital Grid Lab will be combined with the Smart Infrastructure Lab and will continue to focus on power grid-specific infrastructure components of the project. UCF will also work with local utilities that serve both the campus and the surrounding communities to collect utility consumption and related weather data as well as operational and planning data for their power distribution systems. Utilizing Siemens software platforms, students and faculty will learn how to conduct in-depth research on data analytics focused on building systems.

"There's a definite synergy between buildings and the grid, as seen with energy becoming more decentralized and buildings assuming more of a prosumer role," said Mike Carlson, President of Siemens Digital Grid - North America. "The opportunity to take what we are already doing with UCF related to grid digitalization and combine supply and demand in coordination with technology for building automation will make this a benchmark program for Siemens."


Through the Smart Infrastructure Data Analytics Lab, Siemens will leverage data through machine learning, real-time analytics and artificial intelligence to help automate certain processes to be initiated by building systems whenever possible.

UCF students and faculty will also assist Siemens in planning, prioritizing and testing various technology prototypes to accelerate the commercialization of smart building platforms and technologies in conjunction with utility-based applications and programs.

The Smart Infrastructure Data Analytics Lab is expected to be fully operational in early 2019.

About the University of Central Florida

Founded in 1963 with a commitment to expanding opportunity and demanding excellence, the University of Central Florida develops the talent needed to advance the prosperity and welfare of our society. With more than 68,000 students, UCF is one of the nation's largest universities, offering more than 200 degree programs at its main campus in Orlando, medical school, and more than a dozen other locations in Central Florida and online. UCF was ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the nation's top 10 most innovative universities and rated by Kiplinger and Forbes as one of the best college values in America. For more information, visit ucf.edu.

About Siemens

For more than three decades, Siemens has called the Orlando area home, with a nearly 5,000-employee footprint spanning power generation, transmission and distribution, energy-efficient buildings and infrastructure, medical imaging and healthcare diagnostics.

The Siemens Building Technologies Division (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) is the North American market leader for safe and secure, energy-efficient and environment-friendly buildings and infrastructures. As a technology partner, service provider, system integrator and product vendor, Building Technologies has offerings for fire protection, life safety and security as well as building automation, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and energy management. Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG (News - Alert), a global powerhouse focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world's largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of systems for power generation and transmission as well as medical diagnosis. With approximately 372,000 employees in 190 countries, Siemens reported worldwide revenue of $92.0 billion in fiscal 2017. Siemens in the USA reported revenue of $23.3 billion, including $5.0 billion in exports, and employs approximately 50,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

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