The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) presents an annual year-long series of seminars, usually one or two per month, presented by researchers, policy makers, and corporate executives on various topics related to Sustainability, Energy, and the Environment. This series is an opportunity to share scientific research with peers in a relaxed, informal environment. Please feel free to bring a lunch. Seminars usually last about an hour and questions are welcome.

USGBC Students – UIUC is officially affiliated with U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With a community comprising 78 local affiliates, more than 20,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 140,000 LEED Professionals, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013.

From November 2016 through October 2026, the Urbana campus will receive a percentage-based portion of the wind-generated electricity and associated environmental attributes from the Rail Splitter Wind Farm located north of Lincoln, Illinois. The power purchase agreement (PPA) specifies that 8.6% of the total wind generation from the farm will be sold to the university, which is expected to be an annual amount of more than 25,000 megawatt-hours (MWh).

As part of the Campus Sustainability Procedures approved in June 2014, the Illinois Climate Action Plan Working Group (iWG) was formed. It is made up of representatives from major stakeholder groups across campus, and it has been tasked with (a) reviewing iCAP Team recommendations and transmitting them to the affected units or the Sustainability Council, as appropriate; and (b) initiating a process for revising the iCAP.

In June 2014, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) established their "Public Sector Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Pilot Program"

This project was to reduce the need for burning coal to fulfill the campus steam energy demand, by reducing the steam load at the Main Library.  The Library’s annual utility expense is almost $1.3 million with steam accounting for $775,000 of it. Much of the steam distribution equipment is original and in need of replacement. 

This project was initiated after the F&S Retrocommissioning (RCx) team completed RCx.  The RCx report includes a nice summary of the Main Library’s systems:

You have the power to reduce the environmental impact of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

The Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) and Facilities &Services (F&S) are proud to present the latest edition of the Certified Green Office Program, to engage the University community in a campus-wide commitment to sustainability.

This Team deals with agriculture, land use, food, and carbon sequestration. It is comprised of an enthusiastic group of faculty and staff from ACES, University Housing, and Facilities & Services, partnering with eco-conscious students who are focused on assisting the U of I campus in meeting its lofty iCAP goals for sustainability. 

The goal of this project is to construct an area for students, graduate students, faculty, and staff who frequent the Chemical and Life Sciences Building and Roger Adams Laboratory to stow their bicycles in a secure location throughout the day (or night) that is sheltered from the elements.  Proposed locations of this structure would be either one of the grassy spaces between these two buildings on the south side courtyard.

This project will improve the waste process in and around the Quad.  First the project will provide a recycling bin to be placed next to each existing bin.  Then signage will be changed and color coded to clearly indicate that the new bins are for recycling and the existing bins will be used for only landfill material.  In addition, additional signage will be placed in buildings on the Quad to launch new standards and clarifying what can be recycled.  These new signs will assist to inform a community that currently believes all material is sorted on site.