Prairie Research Institute geologists are partnering on a grant-funded project to develop a community geothermal energy plan for Trumbull Park Homes on the south side of Chicago.
The Illinois Finance Authority, in its role as the Illinois Climate Bank, recently announced $731,575 in Community Geothermal Planning Grant awards to three organizations advancing innovative, community-scale geothermal heating and cooling projects across Illinois: City of Vandalia, Elevate Energy, and Oak Park Residence Corporation.
These planning grants will support awardees as they evaluate, design, and prepare community geothermal systems that provide efficient, low-emission heating and cooling for neighborhoods and districts.
Elevate Energy, in partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority and a multidisciplinary team of engineering, research, and utility partners, will develop a community geothermal plan for the Trumbull Park Homes public housing community on Chicago's South Side.
The project will evaluate a neighborhood-scale geothermal network serving approximately 465 public housing units while exploring future connections to nearby community assets, including Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Park District facilities. The planning effort will integrate engineering analysis, financial modeling, workforce development, resident engagement, and environmental justice considerations to create a scalable model for equitable neighborhood decarbonization.
“We’re excited to announce a new collaboration with the Chicago Housing Authority, along with geothermal and decarbonization partners dbHMS and the Illinois State Geological Survey at the University of Illinois, to explore bringing community-scale geothermal solutions to Trumbull Park Homes,” Elevate CEO Anne Evens said. “This project represents a powerful vision for clean energy, one where neighborhoods are not left behind, but instead help lead the transition to healthier, more affordable communities. Community geothermal demonstrates what’s possible when we invest in people and ensure residents directly benefit from the clean energy investments shaping their communities.”
The Community Geothermal Program was designed with the goal of serving 1,100 Illinois households and reducing carbon pollution by 15,099 metric tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030. The program is funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program.
PRI geologist Andrew Stumpf and post-doctoral researcher Upasana Pandey will assist the technical team to assess the available geothermal resource and develop a model of underground heat transfer across the site.
“This project will determine the feasibility of a new, carbon-free, community-focused thermal utility that can be cost-effective and reliable to lower the energy bills in Chicago’s existing buildings reducing the burden for those who are most vulnerable,” Stumpf said.
The full announcement is available on the Illinois Climate Bank website.
The Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign provides scientific expertise and transformative research to the people of Illinois and beyond. PRI is home to the five state scientific surveys: the Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois State Archaeological Survey, Illinois State Geological Survey, Illinois State Water Survey, and Illinois Sustainable Technology Center.
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