CAE

Three Roadblocks and Opportunities for Fleet Electrification from the Illinois Clean Truck Fleet Forum

Three Roadblocks and Opportunities for Fleet Electrification from the Illinois Clean Truck Fleet Forum

After over nine months of research and outreach to advance trucking fleet electrification in Chicago, Advanced Energy Group’s 20Q4 Trucking Task Force hosted a successful “Fleet Forum” on September 30, 2021. Attended by over 70 stakeholders representing municipal fleets, commercial fleets, local utilities and more, the Illinois Clean Fleet Forum provided a platform to understand the major roadblocks and opportunities that exist for fleet decarbonization in Illinois.

Labor Shortage, but no Shortage of Engagement on Chicago’s Path to Grid Modernization

Labor Shortage, but no Shortage of Engagement on Chicago’s Path to Grid Modernization

The atmosphere was lively with conversation and debate at the AEG Chicago Stakeholder Challenge on Grid Modernization this August 12th at the Holland & Knight law office. Despite the limited capacity of 48 invited leaders and additional COVID precautions, this Stakeholder Challenge upheld its high standard of stakeholder engagement and action with the participation of diverse leaders from utilities, solution providers, city government and energy/equity focused nonprofits.

Electrifying Illinois's Trucking Fleet

Electrifying Illinois's Trucking Fleet

Last year, Advanced Energy Group Chicago formed the 20Q4 Trucking Task Force to tackle this exact issue, charging key stakeholders with creating a clean trucking roadmap for the city. Engaging with experts from the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) as well Ozinga, Martin-Brower and other local fleets, the Trucking Task Force has identified key barriers to electrification. With a stakeholder-led plan to electrify Chicago’s trucking industry, local fleets could not only benefit long term from reduced fuel costs, but electrification would also aid Chicago’s environmental and equity goals as well, especially with a focus on intra city drayage routes.

2019 CAE Q1 Recap: Exploring Innovation in Regulatory Sandboxes

2019 CAE Q1 Recap: Exploring Innovation in Regulatory Sandboxes

The debate was lively at the Q1 Advanced Energy Group breakfast in Chicago, IL on March 14th. It was no easy task defining the most pressing resiliency issue in Chicago related to microgrids and infrastructure challenges.  Chicago, though perhaps not considered the most “at risk” city in terms of climate change, has its share of climate-related threats to human health and well-being.

Chicago Mobility and Transportation - CAE Q4 2018

Chicago Mobility and Transportation - CAE Q4 2018

AEG’s Q4 Breakfast on Mobility and Transportation comes at a unique time: Chicago is navigating a pivot in urban infrastructure and departmental design. In September, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the creation of a Transportation and Mobility Task Force and in October, Emanuel linked Chicago’s historical role as a national transportation hub with its technological innovation, calling on the city to write a new “blueprint for the future.”

Chicago is Well Poised to Succeed and Lead in the IoT Revolution (Q3 2018)

Chicago is Well Poised to Succeed and Lead in the IoT Revolution (Q3 2018)

Chicago continues to drive towards IoT capabilities in energy generation, distribution, and efficiency, supported by the City of Chicago and the city’s dominant utility, Commonwealth Edison. Chicago’s keen adoption of new technologies is in part a reflection of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s policy, he has stated: “Chicago is continuing to invest in the industries of tomorrow in order to create the jobs we need today.

2018 CAE Q2 Recap: Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization

2018 CAE Q2 Recap: Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization

On May 31, 2018, Chicago Advanced Energy held its Stakeholder Breakfast on the topic of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization. Once the room was at capacity and coffee was on the table, H.G. Chissell – CEO of Advanced Energy Group – kicked off the meeting. The group then heard five presentations from discussion leaders, who offered their takes on smart buildings and grid modernization:

2018 CAE Q1 Recap: Resiliency, Critical Infrastructure, and Microgrids

2018 CAE Q1 Recap: Resiliency, Critical Infrastructure, and Microgrids

On March 1, 2018, Chicago Advanced Energy held its Stakeholder Breakfast on the topic of Resiliency, Critical Infrastructure, and Microgrids. The packed room was sold out almost two weeks prior to the event thanks to the high calibre of discussion leaders that sparked a lot of anticipation. 

2017 CAE Q4: Mobility and Transportation

2017 CAE Q4: Mobility and Transportation

To kick off the breakfast and prepare everyone to think through the problems together, H.G. Chissell reminded us, with a very personal story, of the importance and urgency of tackling these pressing energy issues. This is an important reminder that these are not disconnected issues that are somewhere else to be solved when we can, but are here, connected to the way we live and affect us on a personal level.

2017 CAE Q2 Recap: Stephen J. Humes's Opening Remarks

2017 CAE Q2 Recap: Stephen J. Humes's Opening Remarks

Welcome again to the Chicago office of Holland & Knight.  I’m delighted again to welcome you all to the Chicago Advanced Energy Series Breakfast Meeting.  I’m an energy partner with the firm based in our New York City office.  As in the past, my Chicago colleague, Barb Adams, is here to welcome you and join in the conversations. 

2017 CAE Q1 Recap: Resiliency, Critical Infrastructure & Microgrids

2017 CAE Q1 Recap: Resiliency, Critical Infrastructure & Microgrids

The Q2 2017 Chicago Advanced Energy Group (CAE) Stakeholder Breakfast took place on Thursday, March 2nd at the offices of Holland & Knight where discussion leaders and attendees examined the topics of microgrids and critical infrastructure through the lens of Chicago public policy, utility providers, the private sector, and beyond.

2016 CAE Q3 Recap: Technology, Buildings & Distributed System Optimization

The Chicago Advanced Energy Stakeholder Breakfast took place on September 22nd, 2016 and was focused on Technology, Buildings, & Distributed Energy System Optimization.

The discussion leaders included:

  • Steve Humes, Partner, Holland & Knight

  • Chris Wheat, Chief Sustainability Officer & Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Mayor, Chicago

  • Bob Wengel, Vice President of Facilities, Shedd Aquarium

  • Koben Calhoun, Manager Commercial Energy Initiative, Rocky Montain Institute

  • Ryan Tinus, Director, Tishman Speyer and Chicago BOMA Energy and Sustainability

  • Matthew Lynch, Chief Product Officer, Bractlet

  • Rainer vor dem Esche, Managing Director, Storenetic

2016 CAE Q3 Recap: Technology, Buildings and Distributed Energy Optimization

2016 CAE Q3 Recap: Technology, Buildings and Distributed Energy Optimization

Technology, Buildings and Distributed Energy Optimization fueled the conversation at the most recent Chicago Advanced Energy Stakeholders Breakfast on September 22, offering an incredible line-up of influential industry and political leaders to address the impact technology has on building energy use.