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    ComEd installs new Renewable-powered, Off-Grid Streetlights at two Chicago schools

    Aug. 3, 2022
    The streetlights will use Remote Power Units to draw energy from wind turbines, solar panels and battery storage
    Perspectives IT Academy/Image credit Chicago Public Schools
    Bronzeville School 62ea81d64577f

    Chicago-based electric distribution utility ComEd has installed new renewable, off-grid streetlights at two Chicago Public Schools.

    A total of five streetlights were installed at the Walter H. Dyett High School for the Arts in the Washington Park neighbourhood and two were installed at Perspectives Math and Science Academy Project in the Bronzeville neighbourhood.

    These streetlights feature Remote Power Units (RPU), which are not connected to the energy grid. These RPUs draw energy from wind turbines, solar panels and battery storage. The renewable energy within the streetlights creates battery storage that provides self-powered internet connection to the students.

    “It has been gratifying to support this project,” 4th Ward Alderman Sophia King said. “Public safety around Dyett High School will be improved by this project while providing a template for how we should use opportunities to increase environmental sustainability of our local communities. This public/private partnership also provides an opportunity to enhance exposure of STEM-based learning opportunities to our local students. In essence, the project is lighting the way to future career opportunities for our children and providing sustainable infrastructure for our local community.”

    Additionally, ComEd will work with the administrations at the two schools to develop a STEM curriculum based on the technology and operations of the new streetlights. Teachers will be able to impart knowledge about solar energy generation and demonstrate the use of off-grid solar and wind energy and battery systems. Students will be able to learn about the auxiliary renewable power sources, like wind and solar energy, to enable streetlights to be operated remotely.

    “Our commitment to the communities we serve goes beyond delivering clean, reliable and affordable power to families and businesses. This partnership with Chicago Public Schools and local stakeholders is an example of our dedication to community collaboration to identify and execute solutions to local issues,” ComEd CEO Gil C. Quiniones. “In addition to public safety benefits, students will enjoy a new STEM curriculum designed around the new technology right outside their schools.”

    ComEd previously installed off-grid, solar-powered streetlights at several other schools in the Bronzeville neighborhood.

    About the Author

    EnergyTech Staff

    Rod Walton is senior editor for EnergyTech.com. He has spent 14 years covering the energy industry as a newspaper and trade journalist.

    Walton formerly was energy writer and business editor at the Tulsa World. Later, he spent six years covering the electricity power sector for Pennwell and Clarion Events. He joined Endeavor and EnergyTech in November 2021.

    He can be reached at [email protected]. 

    EnergyTech is focused on the mission critical and large-scale energy users and their sustainability and resiliency goals. These include the commercial and industrial sectors, as well as the military, universities, data centers and microgrids.

    Many large-scale energy users such as Fortune 500 companies, and mission-critical users such as military bases, universities, healthcare facilities, public safety and data centers, shifting their energy priorities to reach net-zero carbon goals within the coming decades. These include plans for renewable energy power purchase agreements, but also on-site resiliency projects such as microgrids, combined heat and power, rooftop solar, energy storage, digitalization and building efficiency upgrades.