December 2021 APEC Southern Illinois KiloWatch

The Energy Leaders of Tomorrow are in our Schools Today!

December 1, 2021

By Larry Erwin

The recent energy legislation signed into law by Gov. Pritzker has brought even more focus (in the public’s eye) as to how renewable energy sources are our future. Those who will, in large part, be the future leaders and “implementers” of the necessary initiatives to make Illinois carbon neutral are in our schools today.

Illinois schools are part of a nationwide initiative that provides training to K-12 students in Energy Efficiency methods and how renewable energy is our future. Leading this effort is the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation through its K-12 Solar and Wind Schools Grant program. Participating schools opt to receive either a small-scale (1-5kW) wind turbine or a 1 kW solar photovoltaic system, with roughly 90% of the equipment and installation costs covered by grant monies. To date, 14 schools have participated in the wind program and over 400 in the solar program.

Requirements to receive the grant monies are:

• The wind turbine or photovoltaic panel installation must be placed on school grounds and visible to students and the general public.
• The school (or district) must organize and hold an event for the public to announce the completion of the wind turbine or photovoltaic panel installation and to highlight renewable energy and environmental opportunities.
• The school must incorporate the concepts and data from the wind turbine or photovoltaic panel installation into at least one STEM-related class syllabus. ICECF provides teacher training workshops and has free online training materials and links to outside resources via downloads on the Illinois Solar Schools/Illinois website. These are available for the entire range of K-12 classroom settings.

Many districts use these as a “pilot program” to determine the viability of much larger future installations for offsetting a significant percentage of their monthly Electric bill. Of course, it’s always important to do all possible Energy Efficiency projects first, especially if trying to zero out usage with a sizable renewables installation!

For more information about these opportunities available to schools, try the links below.

Home

http://www.illinoissolarschools.org/solar-schools/

http://energyseeds.org/category/solar-schools/illinois/

https://www.facebook.com/Illinois-Solar-Schools-629152307195038/

http://www.illinoissolarschools.org/teacher-resources/teaching-solar/

http://www.illinoissolarschools.org/teacher-resources/teaching-wind/

Topic: Identifying Ideal Candidates for Combined Heating and Power

Speaker: Graeme Miller, Assistant Director, US DOE Midwest CHP Technical Assistance Partnership 

Graeme Miller is a Senior Research Specialist with the Energy Resources Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). At the ERC, Mr. Miller works on energy policy issues as the Assistant Director of the US DOE Midwest Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Partnership. In his current research, Mr. Miller focuses on identifying, quantifying, and addressing barriers to clean distributed generation technologies such as combined heat and power (CHP), waste heat to power (WHP), district energy (DE), and energy efficiency (EE) installations. Mr. Miller has written research papers on CHP, energy efficiency, energy security and utility rate policy.

Graeme spoke on how site thermal and electric loads help determine the feasibility of potential CHP applications. In addition, Graeme provided a brief overview of the recently passed Illinois Energy Legislation and how it may impact CHP development.

APEC November 2021 Chapter Presentation – Combined Heat and Power

November 2021 APEC Southern Illinois KiloWatch

Municipalities and Co-ops and Distributed Energy Resources

November 1, 2021

By Sid Daller

There has been more talk, more lawmaking, and greater improvement in the arena of distributed energy resources, also known as DERs, in large utilities and coming about from localized authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs). However, the approach has been mixed state by state, and often even within neighboring communities within a state based on the AHJ they fall under.

With extreme weather events becoming more common and more severe, DERs have positioned themselves as an answer to questions of how to build grid resilience, with many communities already sourcing power locally from entirely renewable resources.

What’s all of that mean for municipalities and co-ops? For starters, both need to consider and understand their position in their respective distribution networks in order to better gauge the impact of their investments on the greater system. Greater visibility ultimate helps everyone within the system and help to minimize energy costs and maximize reliability.

Want to learn more?

https://www.utilitydive.com/spons/for-co-ops-and-munis-how-early-is-too-early-for-next-gen-grid-investments/608701/

https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy02osti/31570.pdf

Speaker: Justin Sipe, VP, Transformative Waves / Jerry Scott, Director of Engineering, Transformative Waves

Justin Sipe is a co-inventor of the CATALYST Efficiency Enhancing Solution, and he holds seven patents around rooftop unit retrofits and advanced economization techniques. Justin has been involved in the controls industry for 24 years. During his time in the industry, he has designed, serviced, installed, and trained on control systems for commercial buildings and industrial process control. In addition, he leads the development efforts at Transformative Wave that are focused on finding innovative solutions to reduce HVAC energy use. He has certifications in Tridium, Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Distech, Magnetrol, Belimo, and Fireye. He is also a Tridium Certified Developer and a Honeywell Authorized Trainer.
Jerry Scott spoke on package systems available to upgrade controls on HVAC RTU’s in a variety of settings. These upgrades are part of a wider initiative to bring improved efficiency and reliability to this type of equipment for existing facilities/buildings.

APEC October 2021 Chapter Presentation – Advanced RTUs

APEC-Southern Illinois is pleased to announce the very first KiloWatch- a new monthly short form/article, from a rotating cast of contributors. The “ Monthly Kilowatch” is intended to briefly add Chapter content on various topics of interest; typically drawing on news articles, trade group postings, third party newsletters, etc.

October 2021 APEC Southern Illinois KiloWatch

Carbon Pricing
October 1, 2021
By Jaimee Chen

Over the last decade, carbon pricing has emerged and gained traction in climate policy. Although not implemented in the state of Illinois, numerous states have/are beginning to introduce carbon pricing.

Carbon pricing is an approach to reducing carbon emissions by placing a price on greenhouse gas emissions whether that is through cap-and-trade or a direct tax. Instead of dictating who should reduce emissions, the aim is that putting a price on carbon lets emitters decide for themselves whether to discontinue their activity, reduce emissions, or continue emitting and
pay for it.

There are advantages and disadvantages to every approach on climate policy, so it is important to understand how carbon pricing can impact you and the world around you.

You can read more about carbon pricing and its future below:
https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/pricing-carbon
https://database.aceee.org/state/carbon-pricing
https://environmental-conscience.com/carbon-tax-pros-cons-alternatives/
https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2021/09/five-things-to-know-about-carbonpricing-parry.htm

Speaker: Mikey Garrett, Regional Manager with IMEC

Mikey Garrett has experience working within economic development, manufacturing, and education sectors; including over 5 years of managing the strategic direction of programs while mitigating risks and achieving overall company goals.

If you weren’t otherwise aware, IMEC is funded Federally to provide SME to the benefit of Illinois Manufacturers. As a Regional Manager with IMEC, Mikey commonly works with manufacturers throughout Southern Illinois. In this presentation, Mikey will inform on how IMEC provides tools and resources that allows these facilities to build competitiveness. You will also learn IMEC collaborates with organizations to fully understand current gaps, fears, or areas of improvement, and how to leverage IMEC resources to aid in the successful transition to a more streamlined business.

APEC September 2021 Chapter Presentation – IMEC

APEC-Southern Illinois is pleased to announce the very first KiloWatch- a new monthly short form/article, from a rotating cast of contributors. The “ Monthly Kilowatch” is intended to briefly add Chapter content on various topics of interest; typically drawing on news articles, trade group postings, third party newsletters, etc.

August 2021 APEC Southern Illinois KiloWatch

Proposed CLEAN Energy Jobs Act Legislation

August 20, 2021

By Joe Birschbach

As we head into the Fall, the biggest topic in state energy policy is likely associated with discussions by the State of Illinois government regarding new energy policy.

Referred to as CEJA (Clean Energy Jobs Act), this proposed policy has been described as “massive…..at its heart lies the main prerogative of fighting climate change by relying on carbon-free energy and renewable energy sources”.

Wherever your preferences lay, any new policy has the potential to be quite impactful; certainly worth keeping your eye on. I’d encourage all members to gain awareness, understand implications; including how it may impact you personally, your business and your community.

For your benefit, I’ve included the following links pulled briefly from an online search:

https://ilcleanjobs.org/who-we-are/clean-energy-jobs-act/

https://wsiltv.com/2021/06/17/clean-energy-bill-still-on-table-for-this-summer/

https://trackbill.com/bill/illinois-senate-bill-1718-clean-energy-jobs-act/2052014/

https://www.nprillinois.org/statehouse/2021-08-02/organized-labor-declares-impasse-with-environmental-groups-over-clean-energy-overhaul

Topic: Large Facility Opportunities- LED Lighting Upgrades & Premium Lubricants

Speaker: Joe Birschbach, Industrial Energy Efficiency Manager, Ameren Illinois

Don’t wait to convert, or finish converting, your large facility to interior/exterior LED lighting! This webinar focuses on a typical business case for LED lighting, the easy application process, and the highest ever incentives available. In addition, we introduce Premium Hydraulic/Gearbox Fluids and related cash incentives, which can help you save energy and decrease maintenance costs.

April 2021 Ameren Illinois Power Lunch

Topic: Water Conservation and Wastewater Minimization

Speaker: Mike Springman, Associate Engineer, Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

Mike Springman is an Associate Engineer at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, performing Pollution Prevention, Energy Efficiency and E3 (Economy, Energy and Environment) Assessments. Mike is also Manager of Facilities Water Services that is comprised of Institutional Water Treatment and Water Efficiency and Conservation. Mike works from the Godfrey, IL Office of ISTC covering the Southern Illinois Area. Since 1997, he has focused on efficient use of natural resources and energy in industry.
This presentation discusses making a business case for water conservation, measuring and establishing a baseline of water use and identifying water reduction and reuse opportunities.

April 2021 ISTC Water and Wastewater Minimization

Topic: Taking Advantage of ENERGY STAR to Improve Facility Energy Management

Speaker: Brent E Ribble, MEM – US EPA Region 5 (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI)

You may be familiar with ENERGY STAR certified products and appliances, but are you familiar with ENERGY STAR’s full portfolio of services, tools, and resources for facility energy management?

ENERGY STAR offers a collection of tools, used by leading companies and thousands of facility managers, to help your facility, organization, and customers to (1) measure energy performance, (2) identify improvement opportunities, and (3) earn recognition. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn how you can use ENERGY STAR’s free tools to save money and achieve superior energy performance in your facilities.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn first hand from, and ask questions of, EPA’s Regional representatives!

March 2021 – ENERGY STAR Commercial and Industrial Tools S Illinois