Case Study: University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Delta Partner: Energy Controls Inc.
Background
Founded in 1869, the University of New Mexico resides on 600 acres along the famed Route 66 in the heart of Albuquerque. More than 30,000 students take part in over 200 degree programs. The school’s 200 buildings reflect the area’s southwest heritage with distinctive pueblo-style architecture. Along with being the largest university in the state, the school is New Mexico’s third largest employer, with more than 20,000 employees.
Unique problem to solve
Since 2003, the University of New Mexico has sought to upgrade its utility systems to digital controls as well as improve building energy efficiencies. In the course of this work came a unique opportunity to modernize the out-dated solar-powered system of the Mechanical Engineering Building.
System solution
Using various Delta Control solutions, Energy Control has been involved in a variety of UNM projects covering 19 buildings on campus, from providing a DDC system to a retrofit of the school’s oldest building—Hodgin Hall built in 1889—to installing top-to-bottom controls on two new LEED-certified buildings now under construction. A first-of-its-kind Smart Grid project utilized Delta Controls, a Smart Energy System and solar panels. The 30-year-old “deceased” solar power system was supplemented with vacuum tube collectors and combined with state-of-the-art digital controls. Water is now heated by the solar panels and stored in a large, stratified tank and used to heat the building in the winter and provide energy to make chilled water to cool the buildings in the summer.
Results
Says University Facilities Engineer Hans Barsun, “In the Mechanical Engineering Building alone we’re able to reduce our energy consumption by 35% to 40%—a savings of $25,000 a year.” That system also reduces carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 100 tons annually. Adds Mr. Barsun, “We’ve installed Delta Controls in everything from classrooms to administration offices to biomedical research facilities. And are specifying Delta for upcoming LEED-certified projects. Delta is one of the two vendors that have been authorized for our entire campus.”
What they’re saying at the University of New Mexico
On self-determination
“Delta products are very user-friendly. In fact our team is now programming and hooking up portions of the system ourselves. We enjoy being able to customize the system to our needs.”
Hans Barsun, University Facilities Engineer
University of New Mexico
On technology
“Key to the success of our Gridwise demonstration project is the portal used to share information between buildings, our physical plant and the power company, PNM. Delta Controls in tandem with the portal will allow the building to respond to requirements for electrical demand reduction. As we add more buildings to this system Grid, we’ll be able to seamlessly integrate Delta solutions to our ever-expanding system.”
Hans Barsun, University Facilities Engineer
University of New Mexico
On sustainability
“The New Mexico governor has mandated that all newly-constructed state buildings be LEED-Silver certified. We’ve been quite pleased with how Delta products have performed in buildings across campus, and Delta Controls are being installed in two of those buildings under construction.”
Hans Barsun, University Facilities Engineer
University of New Mexico
About Delta Controls:
Since its inception, Delta Controls has taken a single approach to business: do what it takes to do the job right, all the time, every time. That’s why we offer the most interoperable BACnet platform in the industry. And designed our own HVAC, lighting and access systems to be fully integrated and operated from a single workstation. We pride ourselves on our easy-to-use graphic interface and customizable software. Simply put, we do it right.