Soumya Anantharaman
Jones Lange Lasalle | Director, Climate and Decarbonization
Speaker
Track I: Energy Services
Session I2: Building Commissioning and Retrofits
September 18, 2025 | 10:30 am - 11:00 am
The First Domino: Why Retrocommissioning Must Lead Building Decarbonization
Retrocommissioning (RCx) emerges as a critical first step in decarbonizing aging office buildings, as demonstrated through analysis of building automation system (BAS) optimization case studies. While electrification and renewable energy integration represent long-term decarbonization strategies, RCx provides immediate carbon reduction opportunities through systematic investigation of controls sequences, sensor calibration, and equipment scheduling. This paper examines how comprehensive RCx protocols in aging office buildings can achieve source energy reductions of 10-15% through low/no-cost operational improvements. Field data reveals that optimization of temperature setpoints, equipment scheduling, and BAS programming typically reduces electrical demand by 0.8-1.2 W/ft² while addressing common issues like simultaneous heating/cooling and outdated control sequences. Analysis of a representative 44,000 ft² office building demonstrates that RCx targeting BAS optimization, when combined with strategic equipment replacement, can reduce operational carbon emissions by 25-30% with payback periods under 2 years. The research establishes new benchmarks for measure persistence, with 85% of energy savings maintained after four years when coupled with monitoring-based commissioning. These findings provide engineers with a framework for positioning RCx as a foundational element of strategic building decarbonization programs.
Speaker Bio
Current Responsibilities
As Director with the Climate and Decarbonization Strategy team, Soumya provides strategic leadership for the Decarbonization Consulting practice that aligns with JLL's sustainability goals, and identifies emerging trends in real estate decarbonization. She leads thought leadership initiatives and collaborates across platforms to deliver holistic client solutions. Soumya oversees a team of project managers at various experience levels while managing complex, high-value decarbonization projects on both portfolio and asset levels. She drives business growth by identifying new opportunities in the market, maintaining key client relationships, and representing JLL at industry events. Additionally, she manages financial budgeting/forecasting to ensure overall practice profitability through strategic resource management and innovation.
Experience
Prior to joining the CDS team, she was the AMER Sustainable Operations lead with JLL’s Sustainability Operations Team where she managed a team of Senior Sustainability Managers overseeing sustainability operations in Amazon Corporate offices portfolio across North and South America, ~ 45million sqft spanning over 150 buildings.
Prior to joining JLL, Soumya worked at Burlington Stores as an Energy Manager and helped build the in-house Energy Engineering team to support the sustainable operations of over 40 million sqft, spread across 800 retail stores, 10 warehouses and 6+ office sites across the United States.
She also worked as a Senior Analyst at Socotec (formerly Vidaris) building energy models for LEED submissions for few of the most prolific buildings in Manhattan such as the Hudson Yards development project.
Education and Affiliations
Soumya completed her Masters degree in Architectural Engineering from Purdue University where she developed her thesis on developing a Building Integrated Photo Voltaic/Thermal system. She has her Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from Anna University in India.