EnergySense Resilience Center

10/20/2026

On Oct. 28th, The University of Chicago will hold Climate Frontiers: Energy and Climate, an annual day-long program of special events demonstrating the scale and breadth of the University’s activities on energy and climate change.

According to the University, the conference slate of events includes: “a Climate Showcase and Student Poster Session that highlights the field-defining research underway at UChicago; a Climate & Energy Career Fair that allows students to better understand the diverse climate and energy career paths; and a Leadership Forum featuring University of Chicago faculty in conversation with senior leaders focused on core topics central to the climate and growth challenge.”

For more information and the link to register, click:

Climate Frontiers: Energy and Climate at UChicago is an annual day-long program of special events demonstrating the scale and breadth of the University’s activities on energy and climate change. The slate of events includes a Climate Showcase and Student Poster Session that highlights the field-de...

10/15/2026

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has released three new briefs on ways building owners and operators can increase energy efficiency using AI and building energy management control systems.

The first brief centers on how the use of Building Energy Management Control Systems (BEMCS) can help owners save money on energy. The next brief discusses the promise of AI-integrated BEMCS systems that use predictive modeling and automation to “improve energy efficiency in large buildings, particularly through enhancing energy audits, modeling changes in energy demand under different scenarios, and optimizing HVAC systems.” The final brief explains how small and medium commercial buildings can also make use of BEMCS to derive the same benefits as large buildings.

Access each brief here: https://www.aceee.org/blog-post/2025/11/smart-building-systems-are-cutting-energy-waste-and-ai-making-them-even-smarter

10/13/2026

EnergySense was recently recognized on Shaw Local, Northern IL for our work on the City of Rochelle, Illinois - City Hall's Energy Action Plan, which provides a framework to transition the community from the coal powered Prairie State Generating Station to affordable, renewable energy sources.

EnergySense Technical Director Shawn Maurer authored the plan & presented it to the mayor and city council. Part of the plan is the construction of a 5-megawatt community solar system with battery storage on RMU’s electric system. To read the plan, click here: https://www.cityofrochelle.net/~documents/route%3A/download/10568/

To read the Shaw article, click here: https://www.shawlocal.com/ogle-county-news/2026/09/19/rochelle-city-council-oks-energy-action-plan/

10/09/2026

The Illinois EPA Clean Industry Concierge has officially launched!

This week at Elgin Community College, industry leaders, government representatives, and technical experts came together for the Illinois Clean Industry Concierge Kick-Off Workshop and Industrial Heat Pump Bootcamp.

The Concierge is open to Illinois industry year-round, with: No-cost Energy Audits, Technical Assistance, Workforce Training, Financing Support and much more! Whether you’re a manufacturer, wastewater treatment facility, food retailer, refrigeration hub, or agricultural operation, there’s support for you. The Clean Industry Concierge is a partnership between the UIC Resources Center and the EnergySense Resilience Center, and part of the Illinois EPA’s Comprehensive Climate Action Plan to advance clean, resilient industry statewide.

Learn more here: https://cleanindustry.uic.edu/

https://industrialheatpumpalliance.org/

10/07/2026

EnergySense has been recognized by Rockford News First for our recent free, hands-on workshop designed to help businesses transition to safer, more sustainable packaging seamlessly.

Sustain Rockford joined us at Katie's Cup to help us increase the reach of our PFAS-free foodware and resources with businesses across Illinois. We offer no-cost assessments to Businesses, providing personalized support to help them make the switch. Our aim is to promote the widespread adoption of health-friendly, non-toxic foodware in restaurants and we invite you to be part of this pioneering movement! Check out our blog post on the subject here:
https://smartenergy.illinois.edu/a-safer-future-embracing-pfas-free-takeout-containers/

Check out the Rockford News First article here: https://www.rockfordnewsfirst.com/2026/09/28/seminar-rockford-educates-food-business-owners-sustainable-packaging/

10/06/2026

Reminder! Register for Illinois Innovation Network 2026 Conference: Powering Illinois Together coming up Oct. 22-23 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Faculty researchers, students, funded program managers, and business and industry innovators from across the region will have the opportunity to showcase, discuss, and learn about projects to support ethical, socially engaged, and sustainable economic growth in Illinois. Participants will contribute and consider sustainable approaches to clean energy production, developments in next generation agriculture technologies, and advancements in a range of biotechnologies.

For more information and to register, click:

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will host “Illinois Innovation Network Conference 2026: Powering Illinois’ Future Together” on October 22-23, 2026.

10/05/2026

The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity has released three notices of opportunity for the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, Energy Transition Navigators Program and the Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program.

The Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program funds 14 regional Clean Jobs Workforce Hubs throughout Illinois to provide clean energy and related workforce and training opportunities to participants. The Energy Transition Navigators Program provides outreach, recruitment, and entry services for several other CEJA programs, while the Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program provides grants to organizations to operate three regional Pre-apprenticeship Centers throughout Illinois.

The deadline for applications for all three programs is Oct. 30, 2026. Click here to find further information: https://dceo.illinois.gov/ceja/ceja-program-announcements.html

10/02/2026

Next week! Join EnergySense, UIC’s Energy Resource Center and the Industrial Heat Pump Alliance for the Illinois Concierge Kick-Off Workshop & Industrial Heat Pump Bootcamp at Elgin Community College on Oct. 6 and 7.

This two-day in-person event features two industry-focused workshops. The Illinois Clean Industry Concierge Kick-Off Workshop on October 6 brings together industry leaders, government representatives, and technical experts to discuss financial incentives, decarbonization strategies, technical assistance, workforce development, carbon credits, and other resources for manufacturers. Then, on Oct 7, the Industrial Heat Pump Bootcamp will offer practical training on industrial heat pumps and how to integrate into manufacturing systems.

Register for one or both events below:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/hyfk7h8

10/01/2026

Wonder why preventing food waste is so important?

Food waste generates enormous amounts of GHG emissions, especially methane, which is created when food breaks down in landfills. The EPA estimates the annual emissions caused by food waste in the US are greater than those from all domestic US flights + all international flights run by US airlines!

Learn more here: https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/sustainable-management-food-graphics

09/30/2026

In collaboration with Choose DuPage IL and Kane County Government, EnergySense & the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center are providing free technical assistance for 10 small food-focused companies.

Participants in these counties, including restaurants, grocers, food banks, lodging or institutional food service operations & similar organizations receive recommendations to reduce food & resource waste & improve the sustainability of operations.

Learn more & apply at: https://tinyurl.com/2s4cxkds