• Posted: November 17, 2022
• Advocate South Suburban Hospital, Anna Maria Kowalik, Austin Rennick, C-PACE, Dan O'Riley, Illinois Energy Conservation Authority, Illinois Solar for All Program, James McHugh Construction Company, Jennifer Gee, JMS Electric, Joel Belseth, Noah Kelliher, Pieper Electric, Ramova Theater, Renewable Energy, RJL Group, Robert Atkinson, Solar Energy, Solar Panels, Sustainability funding, The Power of Better, Tyler Nevius

 

In the second episode of The Power of Better — the new YouTube Show hosted by Powering Chicago’s Executive Director Elbert Walters III — viewers will get an up-close look at how developers are using renewable energy initiatives and innovative funding programs to power new projects like medical facilities and restore iconic community landmarks and how our signatory contractors are working with them.

The first segment of episode two showcases the implementation of renewable energy (solar) as a solution for powering critical medical facilities. The second segment tackles the restoration of a landmark theater using funding from C-PACE, an innovative tool that helps property owners finance projects geared toward energy efficiency, renewable energy and more.

Segment one: Solar energy installation 

Providing affordable, clean power to a medical facility that offers critical care to patients is no simple task. With the installation of an advanced solar field consisting of 1,400 panels at Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, Powering Chicago contractors are helping to build the renewable energy sources of tomorrow. In this segment they talk about the installation process and how they used the Illinois Solar for All program to help finance the project.

This episode contains insights from the renewable energy experts and their customers:

• Austin Rennick, Director of Facilities Operations at Advocate South Suburban Hospital
• Joel Belseth, RJL Group Foreman
• Noah Kelliher, Pieper Electric Project Manager
• Jamie Cvikel, Pieper Electric General Foreman

Segment two: Restoring the Ramova Theater

What happens to a landmark building after it falls into disrepair? Rather than bulldoze the historic Ramova Theater after its closure in 1986, its owners opted to turn the space into a 2,000-person live music venue complete with a grill, bar and club. To do so, they’ve relied on funding from C-PACE, a specialized financing tool that ensures renewable energy projects receive the capital they need to succeed.

In the episode, details about C-PACE and the Ramova Theater construction project are discussed by:

• Tyler Nevius, Owner of the Ramova Theater
• Anna Maria Kowalik, Senior Vice President – Illinois Energy Conservation Authority
• Jennifer Gee, Jame McHugh Construction Company Project Manager 
• Robert Atkinson, JMS Electric Project Manager 
• Dan O’Riley, Ramova Project Architect 

This is just the start for The Power of Better. Subscribe to Powering Chicago’s YouTube channel to watch the second episode now.