Symposium Breakout Sessions

Large energy efficiency projects require significant financial investment — and it’s not always feasible for a company’s bottom line without leveraging outside assistance. Learn about various federal and state resources to help make energy efficiency projects more affordable, from depreciation deductions and tax strategies to the unique C-PACE program. Learn the strategies industry leaders are using to make available additional funding to get projects off the ground that result in long-term cost savings and increased wealth.

Learn about:

• Maximizing tax benefits for energy efficiency under Internal Revenue Code Section 179D.
• Cost segregation studies – identifying and accelerating the natural accruing depreciation deductions for building components to increase tax benefits.
• The Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program, a tool to assist commercial property owners with financing for energy efficiency projects and other improvements.

Industrial heat pumps (IHPs) use refrigeration cycles to capture and transfer waste heat, achieving thermal efficiencies well over 100% and significantly reducing energy consumption and emissions for industrial processes. By utilizing external power to heat a refrigerant, they can “upgrade” the temperature of low-grade waste heat to a useful level, often exceeding traditional fossil-fuel boilers in efficiency. Key advantages include lower operating costs, faster returns on investment and reduced carbon footprints, making IHPs a critical technology for decarbonizing industrial heat.

Learn about:

• Different types of industrial heat pumps, including mechanical vapor recompression (MVR), high-temperature heat pumps and air-source heat pumps.
• Common IHP applications in industrial facilities including distillation, drying and general process heating.
• Case study of Skyven Arcturus, the first industrial steam-generating heat pump using MVR technology to be implemented in the United States.

The Public School Carbon-Free Assessment (PSCFA) Program — offered at no cost by Ameren Illinois — helps school districts stretch budgets, manage aging facilities and reach the state goal of net-zero carbon energy usage by 2030.

This session will show how the PSCFA report can be used to uncover energy-saving opportunities and turn them into fully or partially funded projects through the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program. With over 125 districts already participating, the results speak for themselves: real savings, minimal lift and zero upfront cost.

Learn about:

• How to get your PSCFA report and what’s inside.
• Energy efficiency measures outlined in the report appendix — including lighting upgrades, HVAC scheduling and building envelope improvements.
• How to convert those recommendations into funded projects using financial incentives and bonuses from Ameren Illinois.
• Real success stories from districts that have saved thousands in energy costs while improving their facilities.

From bustling hospitals to quiet sanctuaries, every building type holds untapped potential for energy savings. But you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. After a brief overview, attendees will break into small groups and explore common strategies to cut energy costs and obtain financial incentives in various business segments including healthcare, retail, nonprofits and religious facilities, and office spaces. This fast-paced session will involve group participation — so bring your questions and the pain points at your business!

Learn about:

• Real-world projects from businesses like yours and how they are leveraging incentives to increase energy savings.
• Common barriers to energy efficiency projects in your industry — and how to overcome them.
• Opportunities to capitalize on low-cost, easy wins with the Ameren Energy Efficiency Program.

Industrial Waste Heat Recovery (IWHR) is a process by which heat generated by industrial processes is captured and reused for other processes within a facility, such as preheating air or feedwater, generating electricity or providing heating for other systems. By capturing heat that would otherwise be wasted, it brings a host of economic and environmental benefits for industrial firms and manufacturing plants, including significantly reduced energy costs. In some cases, improved overall efficiency can have a greater impact on payback than fuel cost.

Learn about:

• New and innovative ways to boost energy efficiency by capturing and reusing waste heat from complex industrial process operations.
• The many benefits of IWHR, including lower energy consumption and costs, improved system efficiency, lower greenhouse gas emissions and decreased reliance on fossil fuels.
• Real-world case studies of waste heat recovery from the ethanol production, papermill and chemical industries.

Luminaire-Level Lighting Controls (LLLCs) combine fixture-level control with data-rich integration capabilities, opening the door to smarter, more connected buildings. This session will explore how LLLCs integrate with HVAC, plug load management and other building systems to achieve higher efficiency, increase flexibility and maximize occupant comfort. Attendees will also hear from facility leaders who have implemented LLLC technology, sharing their successes, lessons learned and unexpected benefits.

Learn about:

• Opportunities for integrating LLLC with HVAC, security and building management systems.
• Customer experiences that highlight real-world performance improvements and operational savings.
• Strategies to maximize energy performance while reducing maintenance needs.
• Available incentives and specialized training programs to accelerate successful LLLC deployment.

Steam production is a significant energy expense for industrial facilities, but a high percentage of energy can be wasted through inefficiencies. Industrial steam system optimization helps capture and utilize more of this energy through a systematic approach to improving steam generation, distribution and end use, as well as addressing factors like steam trap maintenance and insulation to minimize energy loss. The benefits include reduced fuel costs, enhanced reliability, extended equipment life, improved environmental sustainability and increased overall profitability.

Learn about:

• How steam trap monitoring can detect steam trap issues that may be missed with traditional surveys — allowing you to make repairs before they turn into costly problems.
• How condensing economizers for boilers can enhance waste heat recovery and improve overall system efficiency.
• How vent condensers can prevent flash steam loss and recover energy for productive use elsewhere in your operations.

Local governments face the challenge of balancing tight budgets with the consistent demand for efficient and sustainable operations. This session will highlight practical, proven strategies municipalities can implement to reduce energy use, cut utility costs and reinvest savings back into community priorities. From optimizing building systems and custom processes to leveraging available funding and incentives, participants will learn how to turn energy efficiency into a powerful tool for long-term progress.

Learn about:

• Various ways that municipalities and local governments can reduce energy usage and lower operating costs.
• Financial incentives for custom projects unique to your facility, including large sanitation projects, HVAC upgrades, water treatment process improvements and more.
• How to work with your Public Sector Energy Advisor to start (or continue) your energy efficiency journey.