SPECIAL FEATURES
Energy Conservation at the University of New Mexico Since 2000
Jeff Zumwalt
August 9, 2011
At the end of the last century, UNM initiated a strategic and systematic effort to conserve energy on the main campus. This effort generated numerous projects over the last 11 years that have reduced energy consumption and increased utility reliability. Opportunities for energy conservation were explored from every angle. The projects ranged from technological improvements to renewable energy and behavior modification. The results of these efforts are readily observed in the energy consumed by the district energy system at the main campus. From 2000 to 2011, the overall annual energy consumption was reduced by 12% despite an increase in service area of approximately 21%. This is a net reduction in energy density (Btu/square foot) of about 28%.
The following is a sampling of the energy conservation projects:
- Utilities Renewal Project – From 2001 through 2006, the university embarked on a project to replace aged utility production and distribution equipment. The equipment had aged beyond its useful life and as a result was unreliable and inefficient. UNM developed a $60 million strategic plan to replace the old utility systems and upgrade the lighting campus-wide. The project has been a resounding success. The university now has a modern and reliable utility system which was funded by the energy savings from the increased equipment efficiency. This project was recognized in 2008 with an Energy Star Award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
- Retro-Commissioning – Beginning in 2004, UNM began a facilities program that optimized performance and energy conservation in existing buildings. The scope of these projects included control system upgrades, reduction of airflow and outside air when found to be excessive, reducing reheat energy and eliminating duplicating control logic that allowed simultaneous heating and cooling. Deferred energy costs attributed to this program now exceed $1million per year with more than $3.5 million in cumulative energy deferred since 2004.
- Mechanical Engineering Solar Project - The Mechanical Engineering Department Building was recognized as the Regional Renewable Energy Project of 2009 by the Association of Energy Engineers. The project renovated an existing solar heating system, incorporated solar cooling, and thermal storage capacity resulting in sustainable operation. The total estimated annual savings for this 70,000 square foot facility is 1,706 MMBtu (500,000 KWH), a 35% reduction over previous years consumption.
- Behavior Modification Program – In 2008, UNM entered into a contract with Energy Educators, Inc. (EEI). EEI and UNM developed a broad program to reduce energy consumption by focusing on modifying the behavior of the campus community and refining the heating and cooling of the buildings. Six Energy Conservation Educators were hired to aggressively seek ways to reduce energy consumption. The initial results are outstanding with savings of about 16% compared to the projected energy usage without the program.
- Stage Lighting Project – In 2009, 413 stage lighting lamps were replaced with more efficient lamps. The total cost of the project was approximately $82,000. The project resulted in an annual electricity reduction of over 283,000 kWh and an annual savings of over $26,000. In addition, the project costs were completely reimbursed from PNM as a result of the Efficient Use of Energy Act.
- Boiler Water Savings Project - The PPD Utilities Division installed a reverse osmosis machine in 2006 to reduce the water discharged from the boilers due to impurities. In addition to saving water, this project also saves the energy and chemicals in the boiler water. This project saves 65,000 therms of natural gas and 2,000,000 gallons of water annually. The energy, chemical, and water reductions produce savings of about $75,000 per year for a payback period of just over two years.
"Green Remodeling"
Green Remodeling is simple. The idea is to change the world, one room at a time. Building a sustainable room is not a matter of choosing the right materials; it is a matter of choosing the right lifestyle. We have a vast library of items and materials to choose from. Most of our vendors offer green substitutes for common products and many no longer offer items that harm the environment. These items range from the type of gas within a light bulb to the adhesives and paints used for the room finishes. Large commercial recycling has been very successful lately and manufacturers offer more items every day that can be sent back for processing after serving a life in an office. Carpets, ceiling tiles and window blinds have a life after they leave our campus.
However the largest “green” product are the users of the space. Building green cannot be a piecemeal activity that treats design as a laundry list of concepts and technologies to be assembled randomly. Green building is a holistic process-every part and every process affects everything else. Understanding and benefiting from these complex interactions is the underlying goal of green design. Our primary goal is to lower our carbon footprint, the amount we affect the planet, through purchase power and consumption of resources. If your office printer is set to print on both sides as often as practical yet you over print reports, you defeat the design and intent of saving paper and the resources needed to get that paper into use. As users we turn on the lights, run the water in the sink, drive our cars to work, adjust the heating and cooling and affect every aspect of green design and building.
We in the Remodel Section are completely sold on building, designing and maintaining sustainable spaces on this campus. We support at every opportunity the President’s Initiative, Physical Plant and the Institution Support Services goals and leadership. Join us in this important undertaking by getting informed and participating in the use of a green lifestyle that will not only be healthy for you but healthy for the planet.
For more information contact:
Mark Manzutto
Manager PPD Remodel
505-277-1126
manzutto@unm.edu
"Green Cleaning"
The University of New Mexico Physical Plant Department first implemented
the Sustainable Team Cleaning System in 1998. The system is outlined on paper, based on an analysis of each building size, layout and special needs. Cleaning tasks are typically grouped into four distinct functions: Light Duty, Vacuum, Restroom and Utility. By concentrating primarily on one type of work, each team member becomes more skilled, effective, and knowledgeable about safe and sound procedures.
Sustainable cleaning also reduces chemical use and application by training personnel on exact dilution and chemical mixing at the point of use, which are the most significant factors in reducing cleaning chemical use in a facility. This also reduces the potential exposure hazards to staff.
One example of our sustainable cleaning is the task of hard floor stripping and involves one of the most hazardous chemical products used in custodial services - floor finish strippers. Floor stripping is also labor intensive, so it is important to follow set procedures to reduce waste and re-stripping. To make this task more sustainable, a specialized hard floor care crew is more skilled at safely applying and maintaining hard floors, use less stripper, and attempt to strip floors only as needed and not by a set schedule.
Sustainable Team Cleaning also requires the use of equipment that is quiet, energy efficient, durable, and maintainable. Micro fiber products such as those used in our flat-mops remove 95% of microorganisms, allergens and pollen, without the use of disinfectants. Microfibers are more absorbent; holding up to seven times their weight in water. We also use Backpack Vacuum Cleaners that have a four-level filtration system and significantly reduce airborne particles. These vacuums are extremely quiet and equipped to run at 50 dCB to allow cleaning during the day. The unit’s light weight and ergonomic design results in less body stress and fewer on-the-job
UNM began using a Sustainable Team Cleaning System because it conserves natural and human resources through careful planning and efficient use of supplies and materials. The System also encourage employees, through training and leadership, to conduct their activities in an environmentally responsible manner.
For more information about UNM’s Sustainable Team Cleaning System, contact:
Dr. R. Gary Smith, Associate Director
Physical Plant Department Environmental Services
505-277-1324
