Ever-Green Energy has entered a partnership to operate and manage the on-campus utility system at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. The agreement will support Illinois Tech and provide the university with a capital solution for deferred maintenance, operations and maintenance services, energy conservation measures, and cost savings efforts. Ever-Green’s partners include Harrison Street, a leading investment management firm exclusively focused on alternative real assets, and Juhl Energy, a leader in clean energy and technology commercialization.

The energy partners join Illinois Tech in a long-term commitment to improving reliability, resiliency, and sustainability. The campus utility system includes chilled water and steam production and distribution, as well as electricity. As part of the agreement, the team will install a new, highly efficient trigeneration system (also known as combined cooling, heat, and power) with hot water distribution to improve efficiency and resilience of the university’s energy systems.

Illinois Tech is the only technology-focused university in Chicago and a leader in energy research and education. Ever-Green and its partners will support and collaborate with Illinois Tech on research initiatives and the continued use of the on-campus system as a living lab.

This establishes Ever-Green’s second utility operation with Harrison Street, adding to a range of experience advancing energy projects and operations for higher education and other campuses.

“This partnership provides great opportunities to enhance the existing Illinois Tech energy system through strategic investments that integrate innovative technologies and support real-world learning for students,” said Ken Smith, President and CEO of Ever-Green Energy.