The Initiative has been working since 2006 with the Illinois Institute of Technology on a Perfect Power System design for the University’s campus. With the University facing costly outages, a doubling of electricity prices, aging components and indications that it is about to outgrow its electricity distribution system, it has partnered with the Initiative, Commonwealth Edison, Endurant Energy and S&C Electric to develop the Nation’s flagship Perfect Power System. This loop system will both update and add to existing infrastructure to create a system that is absolutely reliable, efficient and environmentally friendly.

Construction has begun on this system, which will pay for itself as it’s built via rate relief, deferring substation development and upgrades, avoiding outage costs, and the fundraising and research opportunities that this cutting-edge project will generate for the University. Click here to read the full report (PDF 882 KB).

Efforts are under way to address renewing the obsolete electricity grid on the state level as well in Illinois. In keeping with its goals to catalyze system transformation, the Initiative is working with the Center for Neighborhood Technology to convene a diverse group of Illinois stakeholders to educate decision makers and the public about the barriers to change in the state’s electricity industry and offer policy recommendations that are critical to meeting 21st century power demand. These stakeholders include businesses and developers, utilities, consumer and environmental organizations, legislators on both sides and Mayor Daley’s office.  Click here for more information.

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