Introducing the Building Energy Resource Hub

August 17, 2023
The building energy resource hub logo is blue and white.

Dear Illinois Green Community,



Last week we launched the Building Energy Resource Hub, with the help of our project partners. 

 

This new resource for Chicago & Northeastern Illinois stakeholders to provide critical training and resources, ensuring that the region can meet aggressive climate action goals within the buildings sector, while building an inclusive green economy.

 

The business case for building decarbonization is urgently and dramatically shifting . With new financing tools changing the ROI on building upgrades, and investor interest in ESG influencing the cost analysis for building decarbonization, more than ever building professionals are asking questions on how to take advantage of financial tools & make energy efficiency retrofits. 

 

That’s exactly why we’ve created the Building Energy Resource Hub – to better meet the needs of building industry professionals and alleviate marketplace uncertainty about the changes in the industry and the solutions available to improve building performance. 

 

The Hub will provide education, online tools and serve as a connector to the broader network of resources in the industry that are out there to help with code and policy compliance, challenges of navigating funding, and guidance on technical assistance options and strategies. 

 

The primary focus areas of the Hub’s programs and services will be serving building owners, developers, and contractors in the large multifamily and commercial building sectors, with an emphasis on those in disinvested communities. 

 

In short, the Hub is a one-stop shop for energy efficiency, financing, and technical training resources for building professionals at all levels of familiarity with energy efficiency concepts. 

A group of people standing around a sign that says building efficiency hill

Resources available to access now: 

 

Tools we’ll be building out further this fall and the coming year include project financing pathways, qualified service provider database, and technology discussion forums. 

 

We are thrilled to have the guidance of an amazing Advisory Board to help us in the coming year to make strategic and thoughtful decisions around the creation of education, development of technical guidance programs and continued partnership opportunities to ensure we are serving all the Hub’s stakeholders. 

 

Partnership and collaboration are the key to success in bringing the most useful and applicable programming, resources, and services to all of the people working to make buildings perform better in our region. In fact, it was thanks to a collaboration with Elevate, ComEd, the Illinois Finance Authority, and the International Code Council we were able to secure Department of Energy funding for tools and resource development most relevant to building professionals in Illinois. 

 

We are excited to further engage with new and existing stakeholders and partners to ensure that what we are putting out into the world is what people need to effectively improve their work. 

 

This project is a culmination of over half a decade of work — from an idea to a needs assessment to a business plan, and now a website. This launch is just the beginning — our strategic plan for the Hub includes developing a physical space to host events and offer office hours to building professionals. 

 

People are what make buildings work – the Hub is here to serve those people. 

Learn how you can get connected to that work today.

 

Sincerely, 

Katie Kaluzny
Deputy Director, Illinois Green Alliance
Director, Building Energy Resource Hub 

Photos from our Launch Event

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A woman is holding a microphone and giving a presentation.
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A group of people are posing for a picture in front of a city skyline.
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