New tool will monitor energy, water usage in city buildings

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – How many times have you walked through the house turning off lights or unplugging things to save energy? The City of Albuquerque has found a new way to do that at city buildings in a much larger way.

It’s called the B.R.A.I.N. and it’s a new tool they hope will help save the planet.

“This is all about energy efficiency,” said Mayor Tim Keller. 

Keller describes a new program to monitor utility usage at city facilities as a “first in the nation” tool.

From the Sunport to city hall, the city’s new Balanced Resource Acquisition and Information Network allows the tracking of energy and water usage to ensure energy efficiency and reduced use of precious resources.

Following a brief ribbon-cutting, city staff showed how the system works.

“Electricity, gas, water, and solar across the city. Everything tied to a utility is tied to us, to the building, tied to the B.R.A.I.N.,” said Saif Ismail with the city’s Energy and Sustainability Division. 

City trackers can monitor city sites in specific detail.

The mayor says it can help in numerous ways like spotting potential problems and energy wasters well in advance.

“This is super helpful when it comes to things like maintenance and types of issues you may be having when it comes to repairs,” said Keller. 

Beyond that, Keller says it’s one more step toward becoming a more sustainable city.

“The biggest most efficient way to reduce use is efficiency,” Keller said.