• Posted: May 4, 2025
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Powering Chicago returns with a new episode of The Power of Better, highlighting some of the most impactful electrical projects across the region. Episode 15 gives viewers a closer look at the technology, innovation, and collaboration behind this season’s standout builds, led by IBEW Local 134 electricians and Powering Chicago member contractors.

Abt Electronics Campus: Energy Efficiency on a Massive Scale

In the heart of Glenview, the sprawling one million-square-foot Abt Electronics campus is setting a new standard for sustainability. With major investments in solar energy and a dedicated recycling center, the facility now saves approximately $400,000 a year on energy costs.

“There’s no reason not to do it. It’s the right thing to do, first of all, and you should think about future generations, but you really end up making money often,” Mike Abt, Co-President of Abt Electronics, said.

Three solar arrays, installed across the main building, warehouse, and recycling center, generate 3,300 megawatt-hours of clean energy annually. Two Megapack battery energy storage systems provide an additional 2,900 megawatt-hours of capacity each year. All were installed by Continental Electric Construction Company’s Renewable Energy Division.

“The actual solar array produces 1,000 times more energy than can be stored, which the customer on the site here utilizes that to offset internal cost in their facility,” Brian Swiatek, Supervisor at Continental Electric Construction Co, said.

Countryside Municipal Complex: A Model of Public Sector Sustainability

A leading example of municipal energy efficiency, the 35,000-square-foot LEED-certified Countryside Municipal Complex runs entirely on renewable energy. Powered by 600 solar panels, the facility features a solar carport and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

With a green roof, low-emissivity windows that are 84% more efficient, and an interactive energy-use display, the complex produces approximately 275 megawatt-hours of energy annually. Hy-Power Electric led the electrical work.

“The biggest thing on the electric is the consumption. They were trying to make sure that it hit on their model targets. All the sensors in the room set properly so they shut off and turn on when they’re supposed to,” Jerry Kosteck, Vice President of Hy-Power Electric, said.  “They also have receptacles that are switched as well, along with the lights, so at night, any leaching roads are shut off. These are all things we had to make sure that we were spot on.”

T5 Data Center: Built for Resiliency and Performance

The 200,000-square-foot T5 Data Center in Elk Grove Village generates 17 megawatts of power and plays a critical role in supporting cloud computing infrastructure. Designed for maximum resiliency,Gibson Electric virtually modeled the facility’s entire electrical system before construction.

“They all get two lines of utility power, and then a backup generator, and even a backup to the generator,” Matt Kelly, Senior Vice President of Operations at Gibson Electric said. “And then from there, they have a battery system that handles the load when you transfer the generator, there’s literally no downtime in any of these data centers.”

Conrad Hotel Renovation: Transforming a Landmark

When the former Conrad Hotel off of Michigan Avenue was rebranded into a Residence Inn by Marriott, G&M Electrical was brought in as the electrical subcontractor for a multi-year renovation.

Kitchenettes were installed in nearly 300 rooms, each requiring two to three additional circuits, along with ADA-compliant doorbells and modern LED and Lutron lighting systems. These upgrades now power spaces like the hotel’s signature 101 Club bar and restaurant.

“My role here was basically facilitating layout and ensuring that what cuts that we had, what drawings were matching per room, that was kind of a challenge, but everything seemed to work out fine,” Zach Wise, Project Manager at G&M Electrical Contractors, said. “The big thing is coordinating with the other trades as well because we can get our material, our pipe, our conduit, everything in.”

Algonquin Wastewater Treatment Facility: Safeguarding Public Health

At the Algonquin Wastewater Treatment Facility, up to four million gallons of water are processed daily. The plant must remain fully operational and compliant to protect public health and the Fox River ecosystem.

Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors conducted NFPA 70B compliance work using advanced infrared and ultrasonic technology to detect issues before they could cause disruptions.

“So our guys are using not just infrared technology, we’re also using ultrasonic technology,” Rob Infelise, Maintenance Sales Representative, at Jamerson and Bauwens Electrical Contractors, Inc., said. “So before we even open up the panels or anything like that, our guys were scanning the panels to make sure that if there are any anomalies or anything behind the panels, they’re listening for it. So it’s the safety for our guys that is imperative.”

Mentorship in Action: Building Up the Next Generation

Maron Electric is helping grow the next generation of contractors through the Electrical Contractors Association’s Small Business Mentor Protégé Program.

“There is not one department in this organization that they don’t have access to. We currently have one of their estimators from each of the companies in with our estimating department,” Michael Lee, Chief Financial Officer at Maron Electric Company, said. I’ve been involved intimately with Rocha [Electric] in terms of accounting, and they have access to every level of this organization, including the president.”

Rocha Electric, owned by Alberta Rocha, recently completed electrical upgrades at the Goodman Theatre. Calvin Payne, owner of Simply E&C, is contributing to the Sankofa Wellness Center, the first new construction in Garfield Park in 40 years.

These projects demonstrate what is possible when forward-thinking electrical contractors and strong community partnerships collaborate. From advancing energy efficiency to mentoring the next generation, the work featured in Episode 15 reflects the real impact of collaboration in Chicago’s electrical industry.

Watch episode 15 of The Power of Better to see these projects in action, and subscribe to Powering Chicago’s YouTube channel to stay updated on future innovations and stories.