Retrocommissioning (RCx) is an analysis of a building's Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems as well as their maintenance program. The purpose of this group is to restore the most favorable operating conditions while optimizing energy conservation, sustainability, and client comfort satisfaction. This group is important on our campus because deferred maintenance is becoming very detrimental to campus buildings.

A recent evaluation of potential energy conservation measures on campus was performed by the international consulting firm Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). The subsequent report described conservation strategies with the potential to reduce campus energy use by about 32 percent, resulting in a 114,500 MTE CO2 reduction (this is about 22.5 percent of current emissions).

The energy on campus must always be balanced, so that energy demand and energy production are equal.  To reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from energy production, we can reduce the amount of energy demanded.  Thus, we should reduce the energy consumption in as many ways as possible.  This is a good primary focus for the beginning of the iCAP implementation because energy savings lead to cost savings.

The University purchases about half the electricity for campus through the wholly owned subsidiary of the University, Prairieland Energy Incorporated.  In the 2010 iCAP, we committed to being carbon-neutral by 2050.  The majority of campus emissions can be eliminated by implementing more sustainable practices and integrating renewable energy sources for the campus energy supply.  One option for integrating renewable energy sources is to purchase green power through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). 

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is one of the most established technologies for processing waste organics. This study investigated the feasibility of installing an Anaerobic Digester to produce renewable energy from available streams of organic waste (feedstock) within the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. This study assumed that one on-site digester would be installed in the University’s South Farms.

The 2015 iCAP, chapter 6, objective 3, is "Utilize landfills with methane capture." Methane is one of the worst greenhouse gases, and this university has a number of methane producers on South Farms.  There are beef cows, dairy cows, sheep, pigs, horses, and chickens. One of the strategies listed in the iCAP to reduce agricultural emissions is to install a methane capture process for additional energy generation by 2020, with a pilot project by 2015.

Plans are progressing to add a new energy source at Abbott Power Plant – biomass fuel made from plants – following the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency 2012 decision to grant a test-fire permit.

The idea involves using a biomass material, made from wood or miscanthus grass for example, which then would be added to the coal. The mixture could contain anywhere from 10-20 percent biomass fuel, though the tests will determine the proper mixture and whether the process presents any dangers during the combustion process.

The Vet Med Miscanthus Combined Heat and Power Boiler system was envisioned to utilize the energy crops grown from the Energy Farm, to provide power to the Veterinary Medicine buiding complex.  It would also allow researchers to do test burns of various energy crops grown on campus.  However, there were many questions about the project, including the operating program, the field to flame methodology for the energy crops, and the power generation output.  After many discussions and evaluations, campus decided that this project would not meet the goals set.  It would not provide significant a

Biomass energy is produced from organic materials, such as wood chips or miscanthus.  The Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research (CABER) focuses on bioenergy systems research, and F&S Energy Services is reviewing options for integrating biomass fuel sources into campus energy production.

The President’s House is provided to the University of Illinois President and their family. This home is used as a family home and for formal events each year including the President’s and Chancellor’s Reception following campus-wide graduation for graduates, candidates, and their families. This building is maintained by Facilities & Services with power supplied through the campus grid. A feasibility study for geothermal installation was completed. This site is a good candidate for geothermal energy.