Smart Energy Voices University of New Mexico's Unique Energy Solution, with Matt Cherrin Ep #85
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil talks with Matthew Cherrin, Vice President of Lobo Energy Incorporated - a company owned by the University of New Mexico. Matthew explains this innovative business model and the university’s $140 million conservation story.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
- Matt’s role at Lobo Energy [01:44]
- Seeing measurable results [05:34]
- Community buy-in [10:12]
- Telling the story of sustainability [14:45]
- Essential partners of the programs [19:34]
- Creating a sustainable energy plan [25:17]
Sustainable energy on campus
Lobo Energy is a 501(c)(3) owned by the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico and falls under the University Research Park Economic Development Act. This legislation has allowed the university to have a district energy plant on its main campus. The plant creates chilled water, electricity, and steam that it sends to the buildings on the main campus.
The university needed a reliable and more efficient system to ensure its hospital would have energy. Lobo Energy has different procurement options than the university, allowing the company to make decisions and receive approval much more quickly than through a normal procurement process.
Monitoring success
After Lobo Energy and the University of New Mexico invested in the infrastructure of its district energy system, they also installed some smart metering. Every building has submeters providing data that Lobo Energy uses to measure success. Many people working at Lobo Energy have been there for 14 years, so they understand the buildings, where zero to low-cost energy conservation measures are possible, and where upgrades need to happen.
Because of its monitoring, Lobo Energy is the eyes and ears of the university. The company uses the data to perform an audit and then communicates that effort to the right personnel, whether maintenance or engineers. The engineers, facility management, and planning department can then spend their time on the bigger upgrades while Lobo Energy takes care of the smaller details that add up.
Communication and community buy-in
A great part of why Lobo Energy is successful is community buy-in. The university would not have seen some of its accomplishments so soon without the people in the buildings communicating and supporting their efforts. At first, people were uncomfortable with the company seemingly trying to turn the lights off on people. As more savings have been reported, they have been able to see the impact of these changes. Now Lobo Energy is seen as part of the University of New Mexico’s team.
Resources & People Mentioned
- Lobo Energy Incorporated
- University Research Park Economic Development Act Orgs. | 501(c)(3)
- EnergyCAP
- EnergyCAP Expands Offering to Include Financial-grade Carbon Accounting
Connect with Matt Cherrin
Matthew Cherrin is Vice President of Lobo Energy, Incorporated, which is a University of New Mexico-owned non-profit company. He has been part of a team that has helped UNM achieve over $140 million in cost avoidance and 26 percent energy reduction since 2008. Matthew holds an undergrad degree in Communications and Journalism, with a minor in Business and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He has a wife and two children, ages four and one.
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