2020 CHALLENGE OVERVIEW

Using their surrounding area, teams are challenged to design an energy upgrade for a facility that provides community services to others. Examples would include a homeless shelter, food pantry, daycare center, library, house of worship, etc.

Teams are required to prepare a proposal showing how their chosen facility can decrease its energy consumption by incorporating energy saving measures and distributed energy resources. Teams are advised to emphasize detailed technical solutions for proposed systems, including lighting and integrated window treatments/controls, and the re-design of an energy efficiency program that responds to the unique needs of the building and climate.

ECA's Student Chapter at the Illinois Institute of Technology participated in the 2020 NECA Green Energy Challenge with their net-zero energy proposal concerning the Near South Health Center of Cook County, along with a video about their energy audit findings and their experiences with the project. The Chicago & Cook County Chapter, NECA held a number of visits / educational sessions with the students throughout the school year to assist with the project, as needed.

 

Earlier this month, ELECTRI International announced that ECA's Chapter made the finals of the video competition.

 

August 12, 2020, Electri' International announced the finalists for the overall competition.  "After reviewing a total of 9 proposals, and due to a very close score for the proposals, the judges have selected an unprecedented four teams to go forward to the final stage of the competition at the NECA Live Convention."

The 2020 Finalists include:

• Ball State University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Iowa State University
• University of Toronto

ECA Members can log-in to NECA 2020 LIVE, and watch the finals of the competition on Monday, October 5, 2020 from 11am – 1pm Eastern Time.