Advancing Campus Sustainability Through Strategic Energy Management

Overview

Regis University partnered with Xcel Energy and Michaels Energy to launch a multi-year Strategic Energy Management (SEM) initiative, targeting measurable and sustained reductions in campus energy use across four key facilities: DeSmet Hall, Dayton Memorial Library, Main Hall, and Claver Hall.

Beginning in 2023, Michaels Energy guided Regis through three SEM phases—baseline analysis, implementation, and annual measurement & verification (M&V)—to strengthen energy management practices, enhance operational efficiency, and foster a culture of conservation among staff and students.

What Michaels Energy and the Regis Energy Team Did

• Developed a data-driven energy model to benchmark usage across campus, correlating energy consumption with variables like temperature, occupancy, and academic scheduling
• Facilitated Energy Team formation —including facilities, sustainability, and operations staff—conducting monthly workshops and coaching sessions to identify low-cost opportunities and operational improvements.
• Conducted system audits and optimization recommendations:
  • Review and remove unnecessary overrides in the Building Automation System (BAS).
  • Optimize chilled water system sensors and control points.
  • Implement AHU and RTU scheduling improvements across multiple buildings.
  • Complete plug load and lighting audits to ensure idle equipment shutdowns during breaks.
• Tracked and verified progress annually using detailed energy models, performance data, and regression analysis to quantify energy and cost savings.

Results: Two Years of Verified Energy Savings

Over the first two years of participation, Regis University achieved sustained, measurable reductions in energy use and emissions.

Combined, the campus has saved over 1.6 million kWh, equivalent to nearly $163,000 in avoided energy costs.

Environmental and Non-Energy Impacts

The energy reductions also produced significant environmental benefits and cultural gains:

• Carbon Reduction: Avoided more than 2.1 million pounds of CO₂, equivalent to removing over 220 passenger vehicles from the road annually
• Operational Excellence: Improved BAS performance reduced unnecessary equipment runtimes and optimized ventilation scheduling across multiple buildings.
• Campus Engagement: Enhanced awareness among staff and students through plug load initiatives and education on conservation practices—aligning with Regis’ sustainability mission.

Looking Forward

With a strong foundation in energy management and measurable progress, Regis University continues to expand its sustainability initiatives. Future efforts include advanced submetering, continued scheduling optimizations, and student engagement programs to further integrate energy awareness into campus culture.

About Regis University

Regis University is a private higher education university in Denver, Colorado established in 1877. Regis University has enrolled in the SEM program with the goal of reducing the energy consumption of four buildings: DeSmet Hall, Dayton Memorial Library, Main Hall, and Claver Hall.