Energy Network and Resources

 

ICNC offers programs to all Corridor businesses and throughout the community which are aimed at helping you focus on your individual energy efficiency and cost savings needs.  The links provided below are just a few of these resources.  Additional materials are available by calling ICNC at (312) 421-3941.

 

APEC Chicagoland Chapter

The Association of Professional Energy Consultants (APEC) is an Illinois based, not-for-profit professional corporation dedicated to the education and technology transfer within the energy and environmental marketplace.   They provide many services and solutions to small businesses and communities.

APEC's Objectives:

·         Establish and maintain member credibility and promote the highest level of professionalism among peers energy service providers and commercial, industrial and institutional clients and other concerned energy end-users.

·         Promote continuing energy and environmental education and technology updates between members and energy consumers.

·         Affect and promote a balanced energy policy and technology awareness in the marketplace.

For further information, please click here.

 

Rebuild America 

Rebuild America is a growing network of community-driven voluntary partnerships that foster energy efficiency and renewable energy in commercial, government and public-housing buildings. At the federal level, it is the largest, most established technology deployment program within DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The program’s goals are to: conserve energy, accelerate use of the best energy technologies, save money, reduce air pollution, lower U.S. reliance on energy imports, help revitalize aging city and town neighborhoods, and create “smart energy” jobs.

Rebuild America works to overcome market barriers that inhibit use of the best technologies. Building owners and managers in both the public and private sectors often lack knowledge of the best technologies, financing mechanisms, savings potential and other benefits. To break down these barriers, the program:

·         Spreads knowledge

·         Develops projects to stimulate market change

·         Provides analyses and advice in support of the best technologies

·         Networks with state and local governments and the private sector

The energy consumption of most buildings can be cut 25 percent through retrofits and better operation. New construction, too, benefits from energy-efficient designs, effective commissioning and smart operations.

To find out more about Rebuild America's services, click here.

 

General Information and Resources 

For information related to a specific topic, click on one of the links provided below.

 

Lighting

·         Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy lighting section: contains information on energy efficient lighting technologies.

·         EnergyStar resource on lighting: This document is a section of the EnergyStar guide that deals specifically with lighting.

·         Daylighting: information about harnessing the light output of the sun and putting it to work in buildings.

 

Building Envelope - Walls, doors, windows, roof, floor, foundation

·         Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy building envelope section: explains how simple maintenance can reduce energy waste, and lower utility bills.

·         Buildings.com: An article on how roofing can be done in an energy efficient manner in buildings.

·         Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy consumer information section: shows what can be done to the building envelope to conserve energy.

·         Energy Saving Now: offers information on many different methodologies and technologies for the conservation of energy.

 

Load Reduction - Reduce total electric consumption

·         Energy Star: index provided by the EPA listing all equipment that passes EPA standards for efficiency.

·         EnergyNet: An Illinois initiative for energy education. Businesses can have free energy consumption consultations by students who have participated in this program. These consultations are usually reported in the area newspaper.

 

Heating and Cooling Distribution System

·         Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy ducting section: information on how to improve the efficiency of ductwork and the air distribution system in buildings.

·         Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy thermostats section: information on how programmable thermostats can curb energy waste and cut heating and cooling costs.

·         Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance: was established to promote the use of energy efficient technologies through classes in the management and promotion of those technologies.

 

Heating and Cooling Plant

·         American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers: offers technical information on various advances in the respective fields.

·         Midwest Cooling, Heating, and Power Association: information about reducing energy consumption, particularly relating to HVAC.

·         Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy air condition section: information on how to efficiently air-condition a building.

 

Renewable Energy Resources-Solar Power

·         Illinois Solar Energy Association: promotes the use and distribution of solar energy devices in Illinois.

·         Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Solar energy section: explains the available options in solar power production and harnessing the sun’s energy.

 

Renewable Energy Resources-Wind Energy

·         Crest: an organization that publishes information relating to renewable energy has this resource on wind energy.

·         Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy wind energy section: contains information on systems and statistics of wind power devices.

 

Renewable Energy Resources-Bio-Mass (Using plant materials and biological waste to produce energy)

·         Pacific Northwest National Laboratory: gives an explanation of what Bio-Mass energy is, and describes new developments in the growing technology.

·         Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Bio-Mass section: information on what Bio-Mass can offer society as an energy source, and how it fits into our economy.

 

Renewable Energy Resources-Geo-Thermal (Using the earth's stabile temperature for energy needs)

·         Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Geo-Thermal energy section: contains information on projects and developments in the technology.

·         Geo-Thermal Heat Pump Consortium: goes through the construction processes of the geothermal type of energy production.

 

Associations

·         Regional Biomass Energy Program, Great Lakes region: provides contact information for the heads of the regional organization.

·         Airhead : an organization that focuses on reducing harmful pollution by educating the public on how daily activities affect the environment.

·         Association of Energy Engineers Chicago chapter: is an organization that promulgates knowledge on all things related to Energy Engineering, including environmentally sound technologies.

·         Association of Professional Energy Consultants: is an Illinois headquartered organization formed to explain energy technologies, and encourage further energy education through its seminars and meetings.

·         Chicago Chamber of Commerce Business Energy Program: offers consultation, and other energy related services to area businesses.

·         Community Energy Cooperative: strives to get communities involved in energy conservation programs.

·         Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network,Chicago Regional Office: run by the DOE, has plenty of information on efficiency technologies.

·         Midwest Renewable Energy Association: is a group that focuses on alternative energy sources.

·         Wisconsin Focus on Energy: has helpful tips for energy conservation methods.

·         National Council on Qualified Lighting Professionals: sets standards for lighting applications.

·         Midwest Cooling, Heating, and Power Association: has information about reduction in energy consumption in HVAC systems.

·         Energy Resource Center at University of Illinois at Chicago: offers information on their current projects.

·         Alliance to Save Energy: encourages energy efficiency in the workplace.

·         American Gas Association: encourages efficient use of natural gas.

·         Illinois Propane Gas Association : trade organization for propane utilities and customers.

·         Gas Technology Institute : research, development and training for the energy industry.

 

Educational Organizations

·         College of DuPage

·         Energy Research Center at Univ. Illinois Chicago

·         Southern Illinois University Engineering

 

Energy Providers

·         Excelon

·         Nicor Gas

·         Peoples Energy

·         Crains' Chicago Business - List of Energy Providers

 

Government Resources

·         Illinois Commerce Commission - Plug in Illinois (Deregulation Info)

·         Bureau of Energy and Recycling, Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA)

·         U.S. Department of Energy - home page for lots of great energy info

·         U.S. Department of Energy- tips on reducing commercial energy use

·         EnergyStar Program - part of EPA - home page for great energy info

·         EnergyStar Progam - detailed manual for small business energy evaluation