Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.76
Liaison Allison Jenks
Submission Date Jan. 26, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

New Mexico State University
OP-5: Building Energy Consumption

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.18 / 6.00 Pat Chavez
Manager Energy Management Systems
OFS HVAC
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1

This credit is based on energy inputs from offsite sources and electricity produced by onsite renewables. When the institution purchases one fuel and uses it to produce heat and/or power, you should enter only what is purchased. For example, if the institution purchases natural gas to fuel a CHP system and produce steam and electricity, only the purchased natural gas should be reported.

Figures needed to determine total building energy consumption:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Grid-purchased electricity 121,121 MMBtu 163,242.40 MMBtu
Electricity from on-site renewables 184.32 MMBtu 150 MMBtu
District steam/hot water (sourced from offsite) 0 MMBtu 0 MMBtu
Energy from all other sources (e.g., natural gas, fuel oil, propane/LPG, district chilled water, coal/coke, biomass) 624,531 MMBtu 600,605 MMBtu
Total 745,836.32 MMBtu 763,997.40 MMBtu

Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or 3-year periods):
Start Date End Date
Performance Year July 1, 2015 June 30, 2016
Baseline Year July 1, 2012 June 30, 2013

A brief description of when and why the building energy consumption baseline was adopted (e.g. in sustainability plans and policies or in the context of other reporting obligations):
---

Gross floor area of building space:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Gross floor area of building space 5,608,867 Gross square feet 5,134,218 Gross square feet

Source-site ratio for grid-purchased electricity:
3.14

Total building energy consumption per unit of floor area:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Site energy 0.13 MMBtu per square foot 0.15 MMBtu per square foot
Source energy 0.18 MMBtu per square foot 0.22 MMBtu per square foot

Percentage reduction in total building energy consumption (source energy) per unit of floor area from baseline:
17.37

Part 2 

Degree days, performance year (base 65 °F / 18 °C):
Degree days (see help icon above)
Heating degree days 2,827 Degree-Days (°F)
Cooling degree days 1,945 Degree-Days (°F)

Floor area of energy intensive space, performance year:
Floor Area
Laboratory space 549,142 Square feet
Healthcare space 10,420 Square feet
Other energy intensive space

EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
6,727,991 Gross square feet

Building energy consumption (site energy) per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area per degree day, performance year:
23.23 Btu / GSF / Degree-Day (°F)

Optional Fields 

Documentation (e.g. spreadsheet or utility records) to support the performance year energy consumption figures reported above:
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to shift individual attitudes and practices in regard to energy efficiency (e.g. outreach and education efforts):
We employ a fulltime Sustainability Manager to drive education and initiatives related to energy efficiency. There is collaboration between NMSU, City Agencies and private entities to host informational events.

A brief description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution (e.g. building temperature standards, occupancy and vacancy sensors):
We do timed shut-downs for 70% of the buildings. We shut down during un-occupied periods. This is mostly mechanical systems and some lighting systems for four newer (LEED) buildings. A temperature set point standard of 70 degrees heating and 76 degrees cooling is in place on buildings tied to the energy management system. Design guidelines are in place to incorporate occupancy sensors on lighting systems. An energy performance contract was completed in 2016 that included the installation of HVAC direct digital controls and installation of variable frequency drives on air handling units and water circulating pumps.

A brief description of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies employed by the institution:
We have had a policy for the last two years in our Facilities and Services Electric Shop that whenever lamps (light bulbs) need to be changed we will use LED lamps to replace them. We are replacing standard 2X4 fluorescent drop fixtures with new LED fixtures wherever possible. Working with Project Engineering and Development we upgrade lighting to LED's whenever possible for energy conservation during a remodel or upgrade. An energy performance contract was completed in 2016 which included high efficiency lighting retrofits in approximately 25 buildings. Parking lot and exterior building lamps were converted to LED as part of this project.

A brief description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies employed by the institution:
---

A brief description of co-generation employed by the institution, e.g. combined heat and power (CHP):
Our performance year is 2012. Co-Generation is basically producing two forms of energy from one. In our case we use natural gas as the fuel to power a turbine (stationary jet engine) whose spinning shaft turns a generator and produces 40% of the electricity for the campus. The hot (1200 *F) exhaust gases from the turbine enter a water tube boiler and produce steam, which is used to drive a steam driven centrifugal chiller, heat the campus buildings, domestic hot water and swimming pools.

A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace energy-consuming appliances, equipment and systems with high efficiency alternatives (e.g. building re-commissioning or retrofit programs):
An energy performance contract was completed in 2016 which included retro-commissioning of HVAC systems, installation of high efficiency motors on HVAC ventilation equipment and watt savers on vending machines.

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Baseline = 2012-2013 average Performance year is July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.