Innovative Solutions For A 24/7 Facility: The Detention Center Success Story
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center faced critical challenges, including aging infrastructure, failing systems, and limited funding to address urgent upgrades. Additionally, energy inefficiencies drove up costs, while the County needed to meet sustainability goals without disrupting 24/7 operations. An Energy Performance Contract (ESPC) provided the solution to bridge the funding gap and implement essential improvements.
60.6
REDUCTION IN ANNUAL UTILITY COSTS
14M
WORTH OF TOTAL IMPROVEMENTS
7.1M
daily H2O gallons saved
ZERO
NEW TAX INCREASE
Innovative Solutions
Partnering with Yearout Energy, now Energy Systems Group (ESG), the Detention Center implemented advanced energy solutions to modernize its facilities.
Replaced 7,000 fixtures with LED lighting and controls to cut energy use and maintenance costs.
Installed a 330 kW solar system to reduce utility costs and support sustainability.
Converted the boiler plant to run on landfill biogas, lowering reliance on fossil fuels.
Replaced 1,000+ tons of cooling for reliability and energy efficiency.
Upgraded 120,000 ft² of roofing with insulation to improve thermal performance.
Fixed 90% of duct air leakage to enhance HVAC efficiency and air quality.
Optimized ventilation with 175 VAV units for better airflow and reduced energy use.
Installed 27 efficient transformers to cut energy losses and improve reliability.
Added evaporative pre-cooling to 960 tons of cooling to boost system efficiency.
Upgraded the vacuum sanitation system with efficient motors to save energy.
Installed a CRAC unit with an economizer to improve data center cooling.
Weather stripped 100 doors to prevent energy loss and improve temperature control.
Installed 8,000 ft² of phase change material for better temperature regulation.
COMMUNITY VALUE
Maximized capital through an Energy Performance Contract, without additional taxpayer funding.
operational efficiency
Enhanced system performance with upgrades to HVAC, lighting, and cooling, improving reliability and lowering long-term operational costs.
sustainability
Integrated renewable energy sources and energy-efficient systems, advancing the County’s sustainability goals while reducing reliance.
From the Client
“In all my years of experience dealing with different maintenance projects, this is the utmost, seamless, excellent project I have ever been a part of.”
- Ralph Fernandez, Chief of Corrections
