Funded Projects

IGEN receives funding from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to support education and training for renewable energy and energy efficiency technology, and for the operations/services of colleges within our network. In FY23, IGEN received $2M from IEPA to support member colleges’ projects.

Active members of the IGEN network are eligible to submit funding proposals for activities, programs, and projects related to the grant’s scope of work and annual budget. Proposals are subject to approval based on criteria through an evaluation and review process. Funding proposals are evaluated according to five criteria: alignment with IEPA and IGEN goals, project plan, project impact, need for support, and budget and fiscal viability.

Proposed activities, program, and projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Curriculum development and other support to enhance current or create new energy efficiency and renewable energy-related courses and programs.
  • Energy efficiency and renewable energy-related equipment, installation, and upgrade projects for campuses as living laboratories, with a demonstration, education, or training component requirement.
  • Campus and community energy-related conferences, events, and workshops.
  • Customized energy efficiency and renewable energy-related education and training with industry partners.
  • Energy-related audits or feasibility studies.Energy-related efforts and partnerships for career pathways to grow the green workforce.

FY24 Projects

IGEN received 32 project proposals and was able to issue sub-awards for 13 projects in the competitive evaluation process. IGEN awarded $1,007,409 in the initial application cycle for FY24.

College of Lake County

Implement two small hydroponic farm systems at the Lakeshore campus; Install customized interpretive/ educational signage describing the positive energy savings resulting from controlled environment agriculture. Engage students, staff, and community members in hydroponics. ($41,610)

Danville Area Community College

Acquire geothermal training system including a mobile learning system with desuperheater, diagnostic modules, flush cart learning system, and heat pump training aides. Incorporate geothermal training system into expanded and modernized HVAC courses. ($95,000)

Elgin Community College

Convert a shipping container into a hands-on training space that will include solar PV panels, inverters, cables, mounting structures, and other components. Incorporate technology and simulations to enhance experiences in courses with solar array training. ($39,150)

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges – Frontier Community College

Purchase and install 100 solar bollard lights, pouring new concrete bases for new bollards. Hold a “Lighting Ceremony” once the project is completed for employees, students, and community members; Deliver presentations, activities and special events for college students, senior citizens, K12 students, local conservation organizations and others. ($41,500)

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges – Lincoln Trail College

Install 4 outdoor seating tables and 2 free-standing tables with solar charging capabilities. Update and enhance curriculum within Process Technology Programs and 3 transfer science courses that incorporate such new technologies. Hold community presentations that emphasize the importance of energy conservation, renewable energy and reducing the carbon footprint. ($63,695)

Illinois Valley Community College

Construct Solar PV system on the Building J roof, including 404 solar panels, rated at 182 kW DC. Integrate the solar PV system into IVCC renewable energy curriculum programs. Students may be involved in the training and demonstration of components during installation. ($181,415)

John Wood Community College

Purchase and install 8 small lights (10,000 lumens/73 watts) and 107 larger lights (14,200lumens/106 watts). Students in Electrical Technology degree and Electrician certificate programs will receive information about benefits of LEDs over traditional lighting technologies. ($82,439)

Joliet Junior College

Replace 120 fluorescent fixtures in Romeoville B Building with 4F LEDs. Replace 690 fluorescent fixtures on Main Campus with 4F LEDs. Replace 25 parking lot lights 140W E39 LEDs. Incorporate retrofit project into HVAC 231 and onto self-guided sustainability tour. ($200,000)

Kaskaskia College

Purchase and install air and electric to EV lift in-ground lift for the automotive training program. Incorporate electric vehicle lift training into Electric Vehicle Automotive Technology Program courses. ($56,650)

McHenry County College

Purchase 250 LED bulbs and fixtures in approximately 25 classrooms in Building A. Provide students with the opportunity to observe and learn from energy statistics available from the utility website and displayed via dashboard. ($24,450)

Rend Lake College

Purchase and install 92 kW DC ground-mount solar PV with 126 panels and 4 SunnyBoy TL10000 systems on the main campus in Ina. Provide educational offerings to students, staff and community members about the benefits of environmental stewardship and energy conservation. ($130,000)

Sauk Valley Community College

Replace 4500 existing CFL bulbs with LED by-pass bulbs. Install lighting controls on existing LED fixtures per project application narrative. Report energy savings (kWh) resulting from installation of LED bulbs and lighting controls. Offer workshops to showcase to the community and students the energy savings realized by moving to LED and how spaces can be controlled.  ($35,000) Purchase and install 3 Sunbolt Dash Charging Stands. Engage students with the installation process and to interact with the stations once on campus. ($16,500)