Wauwatosa-based Telkonet Inc. has been contracted by an existing military client to install its EcoSmart energy management technology in an additional 800 residence hall rooms. During the first half of 2012, Telkonet provided EcoInsight intelligent thermostats for over 2,800 rooms at this same U.S. Air Force base. Upon realizing how well the technology performed and the savings it delivered, the base has decided to install the company’s EcoInsight thermostats in the newly contracted space, expanding its deployment of energy management. Before the end of 2012, an additional 300 rooms may be contracted and installed, bringing the total number of EcoSmart thermostats on the base to nearly 4,000.
Glendale-based Sprecher Brewing Company recently started bottling Blueberry, its latest seasonal gourmet soda. Sprecher’s Blueberry gourmet soda is made with Wisconsin honey and natural blueberry flavor. It is now available in the Sprecher Gift Shop and was made widely available to the public by Labor Day weekend.
Patina Solutions, Brookfield, recently opened an office in Madison. The company provides professionals with more than 25 years of professional experience for key projects and engagements. The firm has existing clients in the Madison market. The Patina Solutions Madison office is led by Deborah Seeger, vice president of operations and co-founder, who also leads the company’s Milwaukee operation. Jane Carroll has been appointed managing director for the Madison office. Patina Solutions has offices in Chicago, Cleveland, Boston, and Tampa, Fla., in addition to the Milwaukee and Madison offices. The company also recently opened an office in Hong Kong, serving the Asia Pacific region.
The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at the Wisconsin Humane Society in Milwaukee has designated the American Family Insurance national headquarters in Madison an official Wings Bird Safe building as part of the Wisconsin Humane Society’s Night Guardians for Songbirds program.
Companies awarded this designation dim or extinguish their lights during overnight hours, especially during bird migration periods in the spring and fall, to prevent birds from colliding with buildings. It is estimated that between 100 million and 1 billion birds die each year in North America from building collisions. Birds often migrate at night and can be drawn off course by illuminated buildings in their flight path. The Wisconsin Humane Society started the WIngs program in the spring of 2005. Many avian window collision victims are admitted to their wildlife hospital in Milwaukee each year. The WIngs program includes initiatives to stop migratory bird deaths at home, at work and throughout the community.