Energy Alert Advisory – Take Conservation Actions This Week
August 21, 2023 4:02 PM

Dear Campus Community,

The extreme heat forecasted for this week across the country will substantially increase demand on the regional electric grid and require significant energy optimization strategies. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) issued a Maximum Generation Capacity Advisory this morning for its market areas; it continues until further notice because of expected high temperatures and load forecast uncertainty.

Energy conservation efforts should be applied and maximized between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m., when consumption is typically the highest, throughout this week on campus. It is anticipated that the load will peak this Thursday afternoon as temperatures are projected to increase up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Please be especially mindful on Thursday to do everything that you can to conserve energy on campus.

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 this week. Your efforts at the departmental, college, institute, and unit levels can significantly 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 the day or long durations.  

Why are extensive energy conservation procedures needed right now?
MISO helps deliver power across the United States and Canada, including Illinois. Their current advisory instructs market participants to be ready to implement load-modifying resources. Should emergency conditions arise on the regional grid, F&S will utilize operational strategies and business continuity plans developed to meet the university’s energy needs for all essential services to the campus.

How can I notify someone about hot/cold 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 at fandsenergycomm@illinois.edu, 217-244-3783. Coordinate with unit facility managers and building contacts as typical throughout the notification and review process. 

Conserving energy is everyone's responsibility! Thanks for your continued support and collaboration, especially in managing university resources during these peak electric consumption periods.

Sincerely,

Ehab Kamarah, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Associate Vice Chancellor and Executive Director, Facilities & Services