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Projects Updates for Energy iCAP Team

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  1. iCAP Energy Meeting April 2025

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team

    The Energy Team had their April meeting on Thursday, April 3rd, from 2:00 - 3:00 PM. The main discussion points included gathering contact information for building managers and finalizing interview questions for the Building Occupancy Pilot Program. The team also reviewed student availability and finalized email communications. Although the meeting was relatively short, significant progress was made. The meeting minutes are attached!

  2. iCAP Energy Meeting March 2025

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Rooftop Solar Potential
    Solar Power on Campus

    The Energy Team had their March meeting on Thursday, March 6th, from 2:00 - 3:00 PM. We welcomed a new member and had a hybrid meeting. The focus was on the Building Occupancy Engagement Pilot Program. We discussed the way forward and different ways to engage occupants.  Strategies like involving student groups, sending out surveys, and scheduling one-on-one meetings with building managers were discussed. Updates on the solar rooftop project and involving the athletics department in the pilot program were shared as well. The meeting minutes are attached!

    Attached Files: 

  3. iCAP Energy Meeting February 2025

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    EEPs – Energy Efficiency Grants
    Rooftop Solar Potential
    Solar Power on Campus

    The Energy Team had their February meeting on Thursday, Feb. 6th, from 2:00 - 3:00 PM. We discussed updates on the solar rooftop project, focusing on the Krannert Art Museum as a potential installation site. The team also explored funding opportunities, including the Illinois Climate Bank’s new loan program for energy efficiency projects. Additional topics included occupant engagement initiatives, lab energy optimization, and potential participation in the Engineering Open House. The meeting minutes are attached!

    Our next meeting is March 13th, 2:00 - 3:00 PM.

    Attached Files: 

  4. iCAP Energy Meeting December 2024

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Agrivoltaic Research Solar Array at Energy Farm
    Agrivoltaics: Crop Production and Solar Panels on the Same Land

    The Energy Team met on Tuesday, Dec. 10th, from 3:30 - 4:30 PM. We reviewed the occupant engagement program’s progress, discussed final steps for solar rooftop project proposals, and provided updates on energy efficiency recommendations. A potential pilot for risk-based lab optimization was introduced, and updates on funded energy projects and agrivoltaic solar construction were shared. The meeting minutes are attached!

    Our next meeting is January 2025 (date TBD).

    Attached Files: 

  5. iCAP Energy Meeting November 2024

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency
    Rooftop Solar Potential
    Solar Power on Campus

    The Energy Team met on Tuesday, Nov. 12th, from 3:30 - 4:30 PM. We provided updates on building energy efficiency efforts, explored occupant engagement strategies, and continued progress on solar rooftop initiatives. A draft recommendation for campus-wide energy upgrades was reviewed, and we discussed the upcoming agrivoltaic solar project. The meeting minutes are attached!

    Our next meeting is December 10th, 3:30 - 4:30 PM.

    Attached Files: 

  6. iCAP Energy Meeting October 2024

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    LED Campus
    Energy Dashboard Project
    Rooftop Solar Potential
    Solar Power on Campus

    The Energy Team had their meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8th, from 3:30 - 4:30 PM. We discussed solar rooftop project progress, reviewed funding opportunities for sustainability projects, and explored improvements to campus energy dashboards. Other topics included state-mandated LED transitions and occupant comfort strategies in campus buildings. The meeting minutes are attached!

    Our next meeting is November 12th, 3:30 - 4:30 PM.

    Attached Files: 

  7. iCAP Energy Meeting September 2024

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Rooftop Solar Potential
    Solar Power on Campus

    The Energy Team had their first meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10th, from 3:30 - 4:30 PM. We introduced team objectives for the semester, reviewed ongoing rooftop solar feasibility studies, and discussed occupant engagement programs to promote sustainable energy practices. The meeting minutes are attached!

     

    Attached Files: 

  8. ASHRAE Publishes First Zero Energy and Zero Carbon Building Evaluation Standard

    Associated Project(s): 
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency
    Energy iCAP Team

    News

     

     

    ASHRAE Publishes First Zero Energy and Zero Carbon Building Evaluation Standard

     

    ATLANTA (April 27, 2023) – ASHRAE has released a new standard to measure zero net carbon and energy goals in buildings.

     

    ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 228-2023, Standard Method of Evaluating Zero Net Energy and Zero Net Carbon Building Performance, sets requirements for evaluating whether a building or group of buildings meets a definition of “zero net energy” or a definition of “zero net carbon” during building operation. The standard draws from ASHRAE Standard 105, among others, to address energy and carbon flows across a site boundary, their measurement, and their balance.

     

    “Achieving a zero energy building has been viewed by many as a difficult goal to meet, with unforeseeable roadblocks and differing guidance,” said Keith Emerson, P.E., Life Member ASHRAE, chair of the Standards Project Committee 228. Standard 228 provides a consistent method for determining whether new and existing sites have reached zero energy. We hope this standard will become a helpful resource for building professionals in strategic decarbonization planning.”

     

    Additional features of Standard 228 are as follows:

     

    • Allowances for sites that lack the opportunity to produce adequate renewable energy, while placing additional requirements on the use of external carbon and renewable energy in the calculation.
    • Defined calculation of energy in terms of source—a multiplier on the energy crossing the site boundary to include energy used or lost in extraction, generation and transit to the site.
    • The main energy calculation made in terms of annual average factors. Allowance is made for the calculation of individual hours where data is available.

     

    Standard 228 does not apply to the establishment of building energy performance goals or limits; design guidance or design requirements; embodied energy of building materials and systems; and transportation to and from a building. The standard is also not intended to circumvent any safety, health, or environmental requirements.

     

    To purchase Standard 228-2023, visit ashrae.org/228 or contact ASHRAE Customer Contact Center at 1-800-527-4723 (United States and Canada), 404-636-8400 (worldwide) or fax 678-539-2129.

     

    Standard 228 has been published on continuous maintenance. A Standing Standard Project Committee (SSPC 228) has been formed to update the standard through the publication of addenda or revisions to any part of the standard. SSPC 228 is chaired by Dr. Paul Torcellini. Instructions for how to submit a change can be found on the ASHRAE website at ashrae.org/continuous-maintenance.

     

    About ASHRAE

    Founded in 1894, ASHRAE is a global professional society committed to serve humanity by advancing the arts and sciences of heating ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and their allied fields.

     

    As an industry leader in research, standards writing, publishing, certification and continuing education, ASHRAE and its members are dedicated to promoting a healthy and sustainable built environment for all, through strategic partnerships with organizations in the HVAC&R community and across related industries.

     

    The Society is showcasing integrated building solutions and sustainability in action through the opening of the ASHRAE Global Headquarters building in metro-Atlanta, Georgia.

     

    For more information and to stay up-to-date on ASHRAE, visit ashrae.org and connect on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

     -------------------------------------

    Big news from ASHRAE:

     

    Ralph DiNola

    ---------------------------------------------

     

    Hi Team,

     

    Came across this announcement from ASHRAE this morning and pertains to our recent discussions.

    I don’t have access to the full standard. Maybe Damon has access to the full pdf.

     

    Best,

    Andy

     --------------------------------------

    Saw this too, pretty interesting and worthwhile read!

    I don’t have the full PDF yet but have access to the site to purchase it as a member, but perhaps F&S would be willing to do so?

    DM

    ------------------------------------------

    It would be great to have it. I also interested to know more.

     

    Best

    Yun

     

  10. Energy iCAP Meeting 3/27/2023

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency
    LEED Certification
    Changing Usage of Individuals

    The Energy iCAP team met on Monday 3/27/23 to discuss recommendations on energy standards for newly constructed buildings and improving communication of energy research on campus between labs and the broader campus community.

    View the recording: https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_9vmyh6sl

    Attached Files: 

  14. Energy iCAP Meeting 1/30/2023

    Associated Project(s): 
    Clean Energy Plan
    Energy iCAP Team
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency
    Improve Space Utilization

    The Energy iCAP Team met on January 30th, 2023 to discuss recommendations on building energy efficiency and revitalizing the energy scholars council at UIUC.

    Link to meeting recording https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_2dwlpz7l

    Attached Files: 

  15. Energy iCAP Team Meeting 12/2/22

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency
    Facility Standards

    The Energy iCAP Team met on Friday, December 2nd, 2022 to discuss potential recommendations on standards for new buildings and developing a committee of energy researchers to share knowledge across campus.

    Attached Files: 

  17. Energy iCAP Team Recommendations to Improve Energy Efficiency

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team

    Below is an email exchange between Tyler Swanson and Karl Helmink:

    Hello Karl,

     

    My name is Tyler Swanson, and I am the clerk for the Energy iCAP Team. I am reaching out to you today to hear your thoughts on a couple of ideas myself and the energy team chairs have had for improving energy efficiency on campus.

     

    First, would it be feasible to recommend a facilities standard that requires any new buildings to be either net-zero or to have the capacity to generate clean energy on sight, such as solar or geothermal? This was thought of as a way to reduce the energy impact of developing new buildings across campus.

     

    Second, would it be feasible to recommend a facilities standard that sets a higher energy standard for new buildings and renovations on campus? I saw that CEJA requires the state of Illinois to create a new stretch code by the end of 2023, and I wondered if there have been any conversations about this at F&S.

     

    Thank you for your time!

     

     

    Sincerely,

     

    Tyler Swanson

    ----------------------------------

    Tyler,

     

    My comments would be that both of these topics have been discussed in the past.

     

    1. The codes set the standard for energy consumption and I think that we still have a campus standard that asks for us to be x% above the code.   It is more cost effective to have a solar farm than to put panels on each new building.  My best thought / suggestion would be to spend say $20 million a year on fixing old buildings (deferred maintenance)  and installing new modern systems and retire say 1960-1980 energy intensive mechanical systems. The net zero buildings are very expensive.  So  in my opinion a better way to spend the money would be to upgrade/ renovate existing structure rather than building new buildings which add to the campus square footage.  Net zero buildings are very expensive and potentially take money away from energy saving deferred maintenance projects like ESCOs.

     

    1. You guys should probably understand the history on this item.  Tom can probably help with that.  Staying with professional codes/standards such as ASHRAE is probably the most viable option at this point. It might be worthwhile inviting Tom to a meeting to discuss the latest on the codes.  There is some history on this subject.

     

     

    Thanks,

     

    karl

  18. Campus Sustainability Celebration - 10/17/22

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Sustainability Month
    Student Sustainability Leadership Council (SSLC)
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)
    Energy iCAP Team
    Education iCAP Team
    Resilience iCAP Team
    Land and Water iCAP Team
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Certified Greener Campus Programs
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan

    The 2022 Campus Sustainability Celebration was a huge success! Thank you to all who participated! The PowerPoint presentation is attached, and the agenda for the event was as follows:

    • 3-3:15 PM – Welcome
      • Jennifer Fraterrigo, on behalf of Director Madhu Khanna (iSEE)
      • Chancellor Jones
      • Vice Chancellor Susan Martinis (OVCRI)
    • 3:15 – 3:30 PM – Holistic initiatives
      • Plastic reduction (Jen)
      • Clean energy/Solar Farm 3 (Morgan)
      • Greener Campus Program (Meredith)
    • 3:30 – 4:40 PM – iCAP Team presentations
      • Energy
      • Transportation
      • Land and Water
      • Zero Waste
      • Education
      • Engagement
      • Resilience
    • 4:40 – 5 PM – Student groups (SSLC, SSC) – Jack Reicherts and Maiah Caise
      • Closing remarks by Jennifer Fraterrigo (on behalf of Madhu Khanna)
    • 5 – 6 PM – Celebration - refreshments, roundtable forum with each iCAP Team, student tabling session  
    Attached Files: 

  19. Energy iCAP Team Meeting 10/7/2022

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Clean Energy Plan
    Use Clean Power
    Explore Options for 100 Percent Clean Campus Energy

    The energy iCAP team met on Friday, October 7th 2022 to review the team's presentation for the campus sustainability celebration, review the team's priorities for the year, and discuss options for advancing the proposed clean energy plan and increasing procurement of renewable energy through power purchasing agreements.

    Link to meeting recording: https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_5bh3gs4r

    Attached Files: 

  20. Urban Biodiversity Master Plan Student Support

    Associated Project(s): 
    Urban Biodiversity Master Plan
    Resilience iCAP Team
    Education iCAP Team
    Land and Water iCAP Team
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Energy iCAP Team

    Biodiversity Plan intern Gabriel Harper-Hagen is looking for students and student groups to help him develop two iNaturalist surveys for the project. Here is the detailed explanation from Gabe:

    The survey will act as a pilot for future surveying around campus and the broader community. We will have two surveys: one focused on animals and one focused on plants. This is because of the different methods of surveying each. The surveys will benefit from as many students that would be interested in this for either one (Or both). The survey will attempt to efficiently gather data about the diversity of plant and animal species found on campus to create a baseline for what is present and to help identify gaps on the campus where diversity may be lacking. If successful, I hope to expand the model to other parts of the community including the park districts to have larger community based BioBlitz seasonally to keep track of the diversity in the area and measure success of the biodiversity plan. 

     

    As far as students can help, we need enough people to survey the area efficiently in a reasonable amount of time. The student groups and individual students would be helping in an initial survey that focuses only on the campus. My thought is that a date will be set for each of the two surveys where the participants can join to go over brief instructions on identifying plants with iNaturalist, adding them to the project, and explaining the purpose of surveying. iNaturalist allows for specific project data to be collected within a region which is then peer reviewed. Ideally, there will be some experts (students or professors if appropriate) that join for each survey to help with logistics and identification. I hope this will not only be a useful database for our campus to utilize, but also a fun learning experience. 

     

    All iCAP students and environmental student groups are encouraged to participate. If interested, please email Gabe (harperh2@illinois.edu) and Resilience iCAP Team clerk Asli Topuzlu (aslit2@illinois.edu). 

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