• Schneider Electric will deploy a backup power system, energy management solutions and other technology for the stadium.
• One example of infrastructure needed is the heating and cooling system for the domed facility, which is a diversion from the current needs at Nissan Stadium.
• The announcement comes as the company doubles down on its investments in Tennessee overall.

Sitting in the new Nissan Stadium will be a lot more comfortable than the current open-air arena, whether on a hot day or during freezing temperatures.

That’s in part due to the new domed design. But energy management technology being implemented in the construction process will efficiently heat and cool the building.

That task will belong to Schneider Electric. The company this week announced its partnership with the Tennessee Titans to become the team’s energy management partner at the new stadium.

The partnership will pave the way for the new Nissan Stadium to be temperature controlled with the latest energy-management technologies. That efficiency and reliability will be crucial to the stadium’s potential to host large events decades into the future — like the Super Bowl.

Schneider Electric will also deploy a backup power system for the stadium in addition to IT infrastructure and electrical power distribution systems. The 5-year partnership will begin after the stadium’s early 2027 opening.

“This is an opportunity for us to showcase smart infrastructure,” Schneider’s Aamir Paul said. “We’re very excited about partnering with the Titans and with Nissan to do that.”

The announcement comes as Schneider doubles down on its investments in Tennessee, where it employs about 2,200 people. It operates manufacturing and distribution facilities in Franklin, Smyrna and Mt. Juliet. A new, $700 million nationwide investment plan was announced this week that will include a new facility in Mt. Juliet in addition to the previously announced investments at that location.

Powering Nissan Stadium with automation

Schneider’s president of North American operations Aamir Paul said the partnership between the company and the Titans will power Nissan Stadium with electricity-enabling infrastructure backed by automation. This automation is crucial to using electricity more efficiently on a massive scale, which helps the Titans with their sustainability goals.

“We also think the next decades and beyond will require us to tackle problems in a different way,” Paul said. “We think we’ll have to inject this degree of automation in order to build systems that are more agile and more resilient.”

Paul said efficiency in electrification could look like widespread utilization of automated “power saving” modes, similar to the settings that can be enabled on a personal electronic device.

“Why couldn’t you have a similar app in your home that puts your whole home into low power mode?” Paul mused. “Take that same example and look at a stadium.”

Energy efficient heating and cooling systems

One of the primary differences between the old and new Nissan Stadiums is the fully enclosed design of the forthcoming facility, which allows heating and cooling technology to come into play.

Titans Chief Operating Officer Dan Werly said the partnership with Schneider will be integral to achieving that end.

“Frankly, this is a big part of our sustainability approach,” Werly said. “Being smart and efficient about how we’re doing that.”

The tools Schneider is implementing at the stadium could result in a 20% reduction in power use, the company said.

When approaching operations at the stadium for years to come, that energy efficiency will improve the fan experience as well as create a strong case for high profile events to land in Nashville, Werly said.

“We want a world class facility that is going to be bringing in major events and be something the city of Nashville can be a part of,” Werly said.

Virginia Tech is going to look a little bit different this season.

The Hokies are having to replace impact players at every level of the offense aside from quarterback, and they are going to have to have some guys, whether it be transfers or freshmen, step up in a big way this year if they are to get back to a bowl game and perhaps more.

One of the most intriguing players that the Hokies brought in this offseason was Tennessee’s Cameron Seldon. Seldon played running back for the Volunteers, but is going to be an all-purpose threat for the Hokies this season. Seldon has been lining up with the first receiver group this spring, and while you can never get too carried away with those kinds of things at this time of the year, it could be a sign of things to come this season for Seldon.

After practice today, Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry talked about Seldon and how he has been pleasantly surprised by what he has seen so far from him, while also talking about the different ways that Virginia Tech could use him.

“I have been pleasantly surprised. He catches the ball more naturally than I anticipated. He’s got really good speed. He’s got a great build. He’s got really good You know, to this point with four practices in the winter program, he’s, you know, he’s everything that I ought to be.

I even think about him on defense. He looks like a bona fide safety. You know, he’s a really good looking athlete that can run, his agility that works. He’s got a burst. You know, he’s raw in a lot of areas but you know we’re excited to work with him.

“Yeah I think it’s, you know, he’s got the ability to do that. Are we able to do that with our offense and, you know, with the personnel we have that we’ll see? But he’s, you know, based on his running back background, he’s good with the ball of his hand, that’s after the catch.”

Seldon was ranked as the No. 9 running back in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports. Seldon totaled 48 carries for 224 yards and a touchdown, plus one reception in his two-year career. Seldon also fielded 6 kick returns as a Volunteer, totaling 113 yards with an average of 18.8 yards per return and a long of 35 yards.

Seldon’s role could change heavily from Tennessee to Virginia Tech. Cam was widely perceived to be a wide receiver out of high school, with the possibility to play on the other side of the ball as a linebacker, but the Volunteers opted to place Seldon at the running back position. 

Here’s a scouting report from Brian Dohn of 247Sports evaluating Seldon as a wide receiver and linebacker out of high school:

“Strong build with size to be receiver or linebacker. Size is not verified through measurements but in-person evaluation meshes with listed 6-foot-2, 220 pounds. Has strength throughout frame. Has multi-sport profile as basketball player and Class 1A state champ in 100 meters. Holds school record of 10.74 seconds. Dominant high school player at small school on Virginia’s northern neck. Explosive in open field with high-level speed to finish plays in open field. Takes snaps at running back, quarterback and receiver on offense. Smooth athlete with ability to churn out YAC. Good ball skills. Gets off line of scrimmage well and quickly gets into route. Comfortable playing in traffic. Has speed to get behind defensive. Demonstrates ability to close on ball in the air. Willing to be physical at the top of routes and in challenging for 50-50 balls. Change of direction, burst and short-area quickness show best when playing edge or blitzing as linebacker. Impacts game in each phase. Step up in competition will be enormous after playing at smallest classification in Virginia. Has to continue to develop ball-tracking skills and show he can elevate and high-point balls in close quarters. Has limited varsity experience because of covid-related issues with school’s schedule. Played four games as a sophomore and five games as a junior. Elite level prospect with build to play early in college at Top 15 program. Potential to be early-round NFL draft selection.”

Seldon could be an underrated portal addition for the Hokies and could make their offense more dynamic. Only time will tell.

Related Links

Everything From Virginia Tech Head Coach Brent Pry After Tuesday’s Practice

Transfer Portal News: Virginia Tech reportedly showing interest in 7’3 center from Youngstown State

Virginia Tech Baseball: Hokies look toward single-game series over Radford

• House Bill 1200, known as Savanna’s Law, seeks to strengthen domestic violence protections.
• The bill is in honor of Robertson County Sheriff’s Deputy Savanna Puckett, who was found shot and dead inside her burning Springfield home by her ex-boyfriend in Jan. 2022.
• House Bill 1200 will require courts to order offenders convicted of a second and subsequent domestic violence offense to register with TBI.

Three years after Robertson County Sheriff’s Deputy Savanna Puckett was found shot to death inside her burning home, a new law that seeks to track repeat domestic violence offenders is making its way through the Tennessee legislature and it’s been named in her honor.

Tennessee State Representative Sabi “Doc” Kumar of Robertson County introduced House Bill 1200, known as Savanna’s Law, to strengthen domestic violence protections statewide.

More: TBI: Robertson Co. deputy found shot, dead inside burning home; man arrested

More: Family mourns slain Middle Tennessee deputy: ‘A brilliant light in our dark world’

If passed, the law would create a registry at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for people convicted of a second and subsequent domestic violence offense and make offender information, such as names, dates of birth, conviction dates, counties of conviction and current photographs, publicly available online, the Tennessee House Republican Caucus recently announced.

Sensitive information like addresses and Social Security numbers would not be shown.

“Savanna’s Law provides a critical step toward protecting future victims and holding repeat domestic violence offenders accountable,” Kumar said in prepared statements. “The registry will give communities the tools they need to stay informed and safe.”

More: What we know about the death of Robertson County deputy Savanna Puckett

More: Affidavit: Empty lighter fluid bottles found in home of slain Robertson County deputy

Puckett, 22, died on Jan. 23, 2022.

Authorities learned of her death after she failed to show up for work. Another deputy went to check on her around 5 p.m. and found her home on the 5100 block of Highway 41 engulfed in flames.

Once on scene, a firefighter found her body on the bedroom floor of her Springfield home under a blanket. The four-year department veteran died from multiple gunshots to most of her body.

More: Audio: Days before her death, Robertson deputy said ex showed up to house uninvited

More: Autopsy reveals new details in brutal slaying of Robertson County deputy Savanna Puckett

According to a nine-page autopsy report authored by Assistant Medical Examiner David Zimmerman, Puckett was shot eight times; once in the head, right arm, right breast, left breast, left forearm and left hand and three times in the back.

Her death was ruled a homicide.

James Jackson Conn, an ex-boyfriend of Puckett’s, was arrested in connection with her death after an hours-long standoff that stemmed from the execution of a search warrant at his Odom Court home in Smyrna.

Conn was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated arson. He pleaded guilty to first-degree premeditated murder and is serving a life sentence.

More: Tennessee to seek death penalty for man accused of killing Robertson County deputy

Throughout the course of their investigation into Puckett’s death, authorities discovered Conn had prior offenses for domestic assault, officials said at the time.

Should Savanna’s law become state law, court clerks would be required to send certified copies of any offender convictions that meet the criteria for the new registry to the bureau within seven days.

The bill outlines a $150 registration fee partially retained by the court clerk and TBI. Clerks would retain $50 for administrative costs, while TBI would retain the remaining $100 to maintain the registry.

If passed, the law would not take effect until Jan. 1, 2026.

Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com.