Harnessing Power and Profit From Sun, Wind

In the current environment of highly volatile energy costs and fluctuating supplies, companies large and small companies are partnering with academia and government to formulate a realistic game plan for developing renewable energy from sources like the wind and sun.

Several of these Illinois-based companies, along with university researchers and leaders from non-profit organizations, city and state governments, will put their collective brain-power together June 19-20, 2003, at the Third Chicago/Midwest Renewable Energy Workshop, hosted by Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). More than 150 industry and research leaders are expected to attend.

“In our third year now, this workshop has become a must-attend conference, bringing together all the key players in Chicago and the Midwest,” said Dr. Said Al-Hallaj, associate research professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and coordinator of IIT’s Renewable Energy Programs. “Many Chicagoland companies and scientists are on the cutting edge of developing renewable energy sources, that are both viable and profitable. By bringing them all together, we can discuss ways to synergize our efforts, share ideas and take it to the next level.”

Along with presentations on the latest clean energy technologies, the program will devote significant time to growing the commercial side of the renewable energy market. Among the companies that will present at the workshop is TurbodynamX, Inc., a Chicago-based wind energy generation company.

IIT will also unveil its wind turbine atop the Field Museum, part of an ongoing research project led by the city of Chicago, to generate clean energy to power municipal buildings. The partnership includes funding from ComEd, Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago.

Other sponsors include BP and the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information and a complete list of sponsors, participants and schedule for the Third Chicago/Midwest Renewable Energy workshop, visit http://www.iitcare.org.

Founded in 1890, IIT is a Ph.D.-granting technological university awarding degrees in the sciences, mathematics and engineering, as well as architecture, psychology, design, business and law. IIT’s interprofessional, technology-focused curriculum prepares the university’s 6,200 students for leadership roles in an increasingly complex and culturally diverse global workplace.