University of New Mexico

A campus-wide strategy for smarter energy management

By the late 1990s, UNM’s utility infrastructure was failing. The university was dealing with:

• Escalating utility bills
• Aging equipment across dozens of facilities
• Lack of a centralized view of energy consumption

To solve these issues, UNM established Lobo Energy, Inc., a 501(c)(3) created under the New Mexico Research Park Act, designed to execute utility and infrastructure projects and to manage strategic energy initiatives on behalf of the university.

The solution: A data-driven conservation model

UNM’s approach began with production infrastructure improvements—new distribution lines, cogeneration units, a chilled water plant, and SMART metering. But the real evolution came when attention turned to consumption, powered by EnergyCAP.

Core Components of the Strategy:

• EnergyCAP Utility Management as the data foundation: Initially used alongside a third-party consulting firm, EnergyCAP quickly proved indispensable. Even after the third-party contract ended, Lobo Energy retained EnergyCAP Utility Management to drive its in-house Measurement & Verification (M&V) and conservation program.
• Robust data collection: With over 160 utility accounts, interval data is now collected via nightly FTP transfers. EnergyCAP’s Bill CAPture service automated tedious data entry and helped eliminate inconsistencies across billing systems statewide.
• Smart Analytics for real-time insights: UNM implemented EnergyCAP Smart Analytics to uncover inefficiencies and anomalies—like chilled water spikes or steam leaks—far sooner than traditional monthly reviews would allow.
• Scalable reporting: From campus-level trends to meter-specific anomalies, EnergyCAP’s layered reporting structure gives energy conservation specialists the ability to drill down, prioritize audits, and communicate findings clearly to various stakeholders.

Continuous commissioning in action

UNM’s six Energy Conservation Specialists now lead a continuous commissioning program that includes:

• ASHRAE Level I & II audits
• Preventative maintenance collaboration
• Behavioral changes across campus (e.g., building schedules, occupant education)

EnergyCAP allows these specialists to tell a full story—from identifying abnormal usage to quantifying post-fix performance and avoided costs. One notable discovery using Smart Analytics helped identify a broken chilled water valve, saving tens of thousands of dollars monthly once addressed.

Transformative results

Since 2008, UNM has achieved:

• 27.3% cumulative reduction in total energy use
• Over $170 million in cost avoidance
• Carbon tracking and streamlined Scope 1 & 2 emissions reporting through the EnergyCAP Carbon Hub module
• More than 3 million square feet of additional space added with no increase in energy usage