Projects
Current Projects
Wind Turbine
The CSE has contracted with TurbodynamX, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of the French company Cita-Wind, to purchase a 12 KW prototype wind turbine. CSE obtained grants from ComEd, the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, and the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation to make this purchase. In addition, the City of Chicago Department of Environment provided grant money for the installation of the unit.
This wind turbine operates with a new technology that should provide 45% more energy for a given swept area than current technologies. In addition, the fairing that provides part of the improved efficiency also reduces the noise and the bird kill population. This turbine, expected to be operational early 2003, will be the first of its kind in the United States and the first wind turbine of any kind to be operating in an urban environment.
The initial work on this project was conducted by students from Illinois Institute of Technology and the Stuart business school as an Interprofessional Project (IPRO). The students in the wind turbine project were divided into two groups. One group worked on technical and data analysis aspects of the project while the other group looked at legal and economic issues. The students gathered data on wind output at various locations in metropolitan Chicago, evaluated the data to predict potential energy output of the wind turbine, reviewed legal aspects regarding the installation of a wind turbine at selected sites, and researched potential markets suitable for small-scale wind turbine technologies.
Bill Analysis Program
The City of Chicago initiated a program for its residents whereby a homeowner can have his/her heating bill analyzed for energy efficiency. During the heating period, residents were notified to visit one of three Chicago locations with their most current gas bill, and students from IIT would assist them with this analysis. Any resident participating in this program was given a $40 certificate for Home Depot to purchase any products related to energy efficiency. The CSE assisted in this program by providing a portion of the students and their supervisors.
Lake Calumet Ecological Initiative
The City of Chicago and State of Illinois have committed to convert 6,000 acres in the southeast corner of Chicago to an ecological industrial and recreational park. Currently, this area consists of industry, brownfields, and wetlands. The long-range plan, 10 to 20 years, is to restore this land to its original state as a nature preserve while providing structure space for light industry.
A large quantity of data has already been taken and is currently documented in paper form. About 60 different organizations will be participating in this project and any or all must have access to these data. To make this possible, it will be necessary to convert the data into GIS electronic format, and provide a web browser for accessibility. CSE has been awarded a contract to convert the existing data to this GIS format. It is anticipated that CSE will also be awarded a contract to handle all future data that maybe collected.
Urban Timber -- an alternative paradigm to current forestry and landscape practices
The CSE has proposed a plan to the city of Chicago, Department of the Environment promoting the development of an urban timber selection, management and harvesting scheme that provides multiple benefits to the community, the environment, the economy, and the managing enterprise through the entire lifecycle of the trees.
Some communities in Illinois have taken inventory of trees showing them as a valuable asset. Our research indicates that the management of these assets with a Comprehensive Enterprise Model (TM) can enhance the environmental attributes of the community and benefit other important components of sustainability within the community. These natural assets can be developed and managed through their lifecycle and bring economic as well as the traditional aesthetic and ecological benefits of canopy cover and carbon sequestering. In addition, the form of management can bring lasting social benefits to community residence, such as employment, education and a safer environment.
Innovation '06
Together with the Center for Sustainable Design in the UK, the Center for Sustainable Enterprise held a major conference event. In collaboration with the Center for Sustainable Design (CfSD), an affiliate of the University College for the Creative Arts (UCCA) in the UK, we brought an international conference to Chicago entitled Sustainable Innovation 06. More can be learned about the conference and CfSD at the website www.cfsd.org.uk.
Sustainable Innovation 06 provided a platform to discuss global challenges and opportunities for sustainable product/service development and design. It highlighted best practice and provided a range of case studies and examples.
Projects Under Consideration
1. Enterprise Maintenance OrganizationA service and product provider network for business sectors. We have discussed this opportunity with Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP) centers in Chicago and at the University of North Carolina. The organization would bring sector specific, environmental and business management services, packaged and delivered as “user friendly” products to small and medium sized business communities.
2. Green Map Chicago
“The Greener Onion” – a website of green places that recognizes best environmental business practices in communities and builds ecological consciousness. We have begun discussions with Green Map President, Wendy Brawer, who has aided over 130 cities around the world with versions of the Green Map. We plan to work with some Chicago groups and sponsors to develop a mapping system similar to other Green Maps that have been established as “for profit” enterprises.
Solid case studies have been done in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(See: http://www.Greenmap.org )
(Also see: http://www.wisconline.com/greenmap/milwaukee/ )
3. Business Sector Metrics
The collection and dissemination of metrics and analyses. Target industries could be dry cleaning or printing. CSE would collect environmental data from participating members, analyze it and distribute the results to the members showing how each compares to the average and what steps might be taken by members to reduce the environmental impact of their business sector on the community.
4. Information Technology Group
A support group residing at The Center for Sustainable Enterprise to assist in developing software applications, conducting metric analyses, creating a Green Map for Chicago, and pursuing projects with the US EPA, The City of Chicago, etc. The Information Technology Group would be added as funding for it becomes available from the U.S. EPA.
5. Sustainable Enterprise Seminars
Short executive education seminars provided as a complement after major conferences in Chicago. We plan to develop these with the Chicago Convention Bureau and the Environmental Committee of the Chicago Chamber of Commerce.
6. Student Internships and Research
Fieldwork and research activities that utilize environmental management graduate students.
7. Exporting Green
The development and deployment of concepts that aid in balancing international trade while promoting the economic, environmental and societal benefits of sustainable enterprise.
