The AEG Chicago 24Q3 Stakeholder Challenge on grid modernization facilitated focused discussions and collaborative efforts, with participants identifying the critical need for visualizing and aligning community and utility energy plans. The challenge highlighted the importance of workforce training, coalition building, and reducing barriers to the adoption of clean energy technologies. The newly formed Task Force will commit to collaboration and community engagement to not only meet technical goals but also serve the broader needs of all Chicago communities. This collective approach will pave the way for a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable energy future for the region.
Changing the Narrative: Addressing “Worst-Performing Circuits” in North Lawndale, Chicago
Author: Mariana Chissell, AEG Junior Fellow, Advanced Energy Group
On August 10 2023, 70 utility leaders, government officials, solution providers, owner/operators, and community representatives convened at Holland & Knight offices to determine critical challenges to grid modernization in Chicagoland. Participants ultimately agreed that “addressing reliability challenges for Worst Performing Circuits at the grid edge with a priority on equity and community engagement” was the most critical obstacle to be addressed within 12 months.
A volunteer Task Force was established as an outcome of the challenge and committed to a 90-day goal of defining the “worst-performing” circuits with focus on North Lawndale. In 12 months, the Task Force aims to identify tools to measure load growth and impact on worst-performing circuits, and plan for the advocacy process to propose this metric. The North Lawndale community has been a focal point for energy justice initiatives and was identified as a “worst-performing” circuit, which is defined by high numbers of outages.
Regarding these circuits, Jonathan McGee, Senior Consultant of Economic Development for Baker Tilly stated, “It is imperative that we address the worst performing-circuits in the city because many of those circuits dovetail with impoverished transportation and economic deserts in the city, only exacerbating inequity and the racial wealth gap.”
Since the workshop, Task Force members aligned on submitting an application for the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) Grant which supports industry leaders who are equitably growing the clean energy workforce through energy efficiency projects in low-income communities.
The Task Force also partnered with North Lawndale community members such as The Will Group, North Lawndale Employment Network , and University of Illinois Chicago to ensure that their actions are grounded in community support. Community involvement is critical; Mark Petri, Grid Security and Resilience Lead from Argonne National Labs, emphasized, “If we didn’t have these interactions with AEG and these local communities, we might be working on problems that don’t really need fixing.”
The Task Force collected data and metrics from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Environmental Justice (EJ) Screen, and Argonne National Laboratory 's Geospatial Energy Mapper (GEM) to display the interaction between health, economic, and social factors surrounding energy justice in North Lawndale in an interactive story map. The visuals simplify complex data and provide transparency in ongoing energy projects. This approach can be replicated in similar areas, enhancing community engagement but also supporting data-driven decision-making, ensuring that solutions are tailored to the specific needs of the residents. Visit the Task Force 90 sprint report and interactive map here.
By integrating story map data with technical details on grid resiliency and worst-performing circuits, the task force aims to address North Lawndale's infrastructure needs, streamline grant applications, and identify similar communities in Chicagoland for future energy justice and grid modernization efforts.
How AEG can help secure clean energy investment through the IIJA
Social Equity in Mobility: Can Chicago Achieve More Equitable Clean Transit in 2022?
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
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
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 Q3: Chicago is being rebuilt in the age of the internet, technology and innovation.
2019 CAE Q2 Recap: Buildings and Transformation in Chicago
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.
A More Resilient Chicago - 2019 CAE Q1
Join Advanced Energy Group on March 14that the Q1 breakfast series to discuss resiliency, critical infrastructures, and microgrids as they relate to the Chicagoland area and state of Illinois. The breakfast will feature a panel of experts, small group brainstorming activities, and actionable next steps.
2018 CAE Q4 Recap: Sustainable, Integrated Solutions
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 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
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
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.
CAE Interview: Leadership with Drew DePriest, Automated Logic
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
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.