Energy Alert Advisory This Week

Dear Campus Community,

This week’s forecasted extreme heat across the Midwest is expected to increase demand on the regional electric grid significantly. As a result, campuswide energy conservation efforts should be prioritized through Thursday, July 2, especially between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. each day. These peak-demand hours coincide with the hottest part of the day, when heat index values (temperature plus relative humidity) are expected to reach 105°F to 110°F. 

What energy conservation actions should be prioritized?
Facilities & Services (F&S) requests that all students, faculty, and staff help take the steps listed below to conserve energy to the greatest extent possible. Your efforts at the departmental, college, institute, and unit levels can considerably reduce campus demand during these peak energy periods. If practical, please shut off, shut down, put into sleep mode, or unplug the following:

What energy conservation actions should be prioritized?
Facilities & Services (F&S) requests that all students, faculty, and staff help take the steps listed below to conserve energy to the greatest extent possible. Your efforts at the departmental, college, institute, and unit levels can considerably reduce campus demand during these peak energy periods. If practical, please shut off, shut down, put into sleep mode, or unplug the following:

• Lights
• Computers
• Monitors
• Printers
• Chargers
• Appliances
• Other nonessential equipment

Close the following items to protect facility equipment and systems:

• Outside windows and doors in air-conditioned areas
• Fume hood sashes when not in use

Also, please remember to shut off, shut down, put into sleep mode, or unplug equipment before leaving campus rooms and spaces for extended periods, as well as at the end of the day.

How can I notify someone about hot/cold temperature concerns in university facilities?
While in university facilities, report any temperature-related issues regarding specific rooms or building spaces to the F&S Energy Management Control Center, 217-244-3783. Coordinate with your unit facility manager and building contacts as part of the normal notification and review process. 

Why are extensive energy conservation procedures vital to university operations?
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) helps facilitate the delivery of power across the United States and Canada, including Illinois. Although Abbott Power Plant generates approximately half of the campus’ electricity, the remainder is purchased from the regional electric grid. Reducing campus energy use during peak-demand periods helps lower the capacity charges MISO assesses for the university in the following year. 

What is the campus doing to prepare for the possibility of future blackouts or brownouts?
Should emergency conditions arise on the regional grid, F&S will utilize established Energy Curtailment Response Strategies and business continuity plans to support essential campus services. Units are advised to review this information to help establish Event Day Action Plans that can be enacted if necessary. To help establish your unit plans or for questions regarding this initiative, please contact Energy Efficiency and Conservation Specialist Paul Foote, 217-244-1048.

Thank you for your continued partnership and willingness to make a difference during campus energy alerts.

Sincerely,

Morgan B. White
Interim Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities & Services