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Goals/Actions/Technology
2012 Goal - Pilot Solar/GeoThermal Systems (Goal Met) Solar Thermal Installed in Yanelll residence, Uncommon Ground 2013-2014 Geothermal systems and Solar Thermal installed at Pomeroy Building; Loyola University, Edgewater Library, Solar PV Installed at Senn High School & 6000 Clark Firestation
2016 Goal - Off Shore Wind System Installed (Goal Not Met)
2020 Goal - Direct Energy System Installed (This goal may not be feasible)
Actions 2017
Solar Community Loan from Overhead Project approved for Edgewater Historic Society: Implementation completed
Illinois Legislation: Future Energy Jobs Bill: Effective January 1, 2017
New jobs will be created, private investment in clean energy is anticipated and it is expected that savings to consumers because of energy efficiency programs will result. Here are the bill’s specifics
Renewable Energy Portfolio
The Future Energy Jobs Bill includes a meaningful fix to the state’s existing Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) law by fixing flaws in the policy, thus ensuring stable and predictable funding for renewable development. More than $200 million per year of the money we spend on electricity will now be spent on building new solar and wind facilities in Illinois. The bill requires a minimum of 3,000 megawatts (MW) of new solar power and 1,300 megawatts (MW) of new wind power to be built in the state by 2025.
Solar development
The bill also creates the state’s first community solar program, which allows those not able to build solar on their roof the opportunity to subscribe to a shared project in their community. The bill also creates the Illinois Solar for All program, a comprehensive low-income solar deployment and job training program that will open up access to the solar economy for millions of low-income families.
Net metering is preserved in the final bill. Net metering allows customers with solar to feed electricity they do not use back to the grid to offset the cost of their electric bills. Net metering will continue in Illinois until deployment hits five percent of the load of the grid. After that, rooftop solar owners will get an up-front value of solar rebate to account for their geographic, time, and performance-based values to the grid.
Increased energy efficiency
The bill requires ComEd to achieve a 21.5% reduction and Ameren to achieve a 16% reduction in energy use by 2030, with a large focus on deep, long-lasting savings. The bill also requires $25 million per year to be spent on programs to help low-income homes become more efficient. Energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective ways to combat climate change, create jobs, and lower electric bills for consumers.
Nuclear Subsidy
The bill creates a Zero Emission Standard (ZES) to subsidize two of Exelon’s nuclear plants (Clinton and Quad Cities) in Illinois. There is a cap on the total number of credits to provide, and a cap on the total program cost of $235 million per year.
This subsidy is based on the economic value of the avoided carbon emissions from these facilities using the federal social cost of carbon, which represents the avoided economic damages from climate change. This program will last for 10 years, and in return Exelon will keep the two plants open. The ZES ensures that any financial assistance to existing nuclear power plants will not dilute or otherwise come at the expense of the incentives for energy efficiency, grid modernization, or renewable resources.
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Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy Technology: Definitions
Solar Photovoltaic
GeoThermal
Solar Community Loan from Overhead Project approved for Edgewater Historic Society: Implementation completed
Illinois Legislation: Future Energy Jobs Bill: Effective January 1, 2017
New jobs will be created, private investment in clean energy is anticipated and it is expected that savings to consumers because of energy efficiency programs will result. Here are the bill’s specifics
Renewable Energy Portfolio
The Future Energy Jobs Bill includes a meaningful fix to the state’s existing Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) law by fixing flaws in the policy, thus ensuring stable and predictable funding for renewable development. More than $200 million per year of the money we spend on electricity will now be spent on building new solar and wind facilities in Illinois. The bill requires a minimum of 3,000 megawatts (MW) of new solar power and 1,300 megawatts (MW) of new wind power to be built in the state by 2025.
Solar development
The bill also creates the state’s first community solar program, which allows those not able to build solar on their roof the opportunity to subscribe to a shared project in their community. The bill also creates the Illinois Solar for All program, a comprehensive low-income solar deployment and job training program that will open up access to the solar economy for millions of low-income families.
Net metering is preserved in the final bill. Net metering allows customers with solar to feed electricity they do not use back to the grid to offset the cost of their electric bills. Net metering will continue in Illinois until deployment hits five percent of the load of the grid. After that, rooftop solar owners will get an up-front value of solar rebate to account for their geographic, time, and performance-based values to the grid.
Increased energy efficiency
The bill requires ComEd to achieve a 21.5% reduction and Ameren to achieve a 16% reduction in energy use by 2030, with a large focus on deep, long-lasting savings. The bill also requires $25 million per year to be spent on programs to help low-income homes become more efficient. Energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective ways to combat climate change, create jobs, and lower electric bills for consumers.
Nuclear Subsidy
The bill creates a Zero Emission Standard (ZES) to subsidize two of Exelon’s nuclear plants (Clinton and Quad Cities) in Illinois. There is a cap on the total number of credits to provide, and a cap on the total program cost of $235 million per year.
This subsidy is based on the economic value of the avoided carbon emissions from these facilities using the federal social cost of carbon, which represents the avoided economic damages from climate change. This program will last for 10 years, and in return Exelon will keep the two plants open. The ZES ensures that any financial assistance to existing nuclear power plants will not dilute or otherwise come at the expense of the incentives for energy efficiency, grid modernization, or renewable resources.
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Renewable Energy
- Overhead Project LLC Non Profit (2017) Set up to provide a revolving no interest loan for solar installations. Initially working with local Edgewater/Andersonville non profits. Will expand portfolio as time goes on. Loans will be provided to set up solar arrays. Pay back will be from the savings received due to solar power offsetting normal electric usage.
- Solar Chicago In August, 2014 EESP hosted an Edgewater presentation St. Gertrude's Church Hall. Background: The City of Chicago, in partnership with World Wildlife Fund, launched the Solar Chicago Program with the goal of reducing the cost of residential solar electric systems and increasing their adoption among homeowners throughout the Chicago metro area. Solar Chicago relied on two key components and it was an opportunity of limited duration:
- Lower cost: A discounted price achieved by pooling the purchasing power of the community, and an additional rebate that provides increased savings as more people contract for solar electricity on their homes.
- Smarter decisions: A coordinated community education and outreach effort that engages municipal leaders, local employers, community groups.
- There were two deadlines-one to submit an application and the second to sign a contract to participate in the project. Then the project pool was closed and no more homeowners could join. A number of Edgewater homeowners applied for the initial assessment & quote. This helped educate the owners on what was involved in adding solar, including the cost and the potential savings. The website contains further details and status: http://www.mygroupenergy.com/solarchicago
- Google Map Maintain data base of renewable energy installations and google map development. Map may be used for site tours. http://goo.gl/maps/NEHR6
- Green Business Continue work with chambers, businesses and local universities to expand Green Business practices that include Renewable Energy.
- Uncommon Ground Solar Thermal; Solar Electric Car Charging Station
- Edgewater Library: Solar PV; GeoThermal
- Loyola University: Solar Thermal, Solar PV; GeoThermal
- Pomeroy Building: Solar PV/Thermal; GeoThermal
- Senn High School; Solar PV
- Firehouse 6200 Clark; Solar PV
- Videography Studio on Ravenswood: Solar PV
- 2014 Heartland Medical Center at 1301 W. Devon opened. Platinum LEED level with Geothermal wells installed
- Energy Cooperatives or Project Cost Pooling Work with public officials on establishing cooperatives within neighborhoods to purchase solar (see above for Solar Chicago initiative), wind or geothermal energy installations. And in conjunction with this goal work on establishing a rotating loan or grant funding mechanism.
Renewable Energy Technology: Definitions
Solar Photovoltaic
- Solar power is the common term for this technology.
- Photovoltaic is commonly referred to as "PV".
- PV cells or solar power panels are used to collect energy from the sun.
- PV panels consist of semi-conductor cells which convert the sun's energy into electrical energy.
- Solar thermal panels collect the energy from the sun as heat, usually in water.
- The major applications are heating water for domestic use, and for space heating of buildings.
GeoThermal
- Wells are driven into the ground and the naturally heated underground water is circulated back to the building for heating and air conditioning purposes. The costs of the well, pipes and heat pumps are a factor for single homeonwers, large buildings or groups of buildings may spread the costs of future geothermal projects
- The wind energy available offshore on Lake Michigan is among the highest in the nation. Utility scale wind turbines placed 8 miles or so offshore will be away from bird migration routes and may be the most cost-effective form of renewable energy in the region. The Lakefront Protection Ordinance needs to be modernized and the public given verifiable information to gain support.
University Activities
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Electric Car Charging Stations
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More Information on Energy
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The Edgewater Environmental Sustainability Project (EESP) is an all volunteer group - and a partner of the Overhead Project, a 501(c)3 non profit group.(EIN 46-4457047). Donations to EESP are tax deductible under IRS rules.*
Use the button above to donate via a secure PayPal link. You may donate directly via check: Make checks payable to the Overhead Project, Inc./EESP Partnership. Mailing address: Edgewater Environmental Sustainability Project; Unit 1E; 1516 W. Thorndale Ave; Chicago, IL 60660. Thank You! *Check with your accountant if you have any questions. |
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