2019 In Review

We hope everyone is enjoying a prosperous start to 2020. Reflecting on the past year’s performance lends us the opportunity to take stock of our client, team and individual successes. As we enter the new year – and new decade – we would like to highlight and share with you a few notable achievements from 2019.

LEED Certification
The following Cyclone Energy Group projects achieved LEED Certification in 2019:

• ELEVEN40 – LEED NC Silver Certified
• NOCA Blu – LEED NC Silver Certified
• ISTHA M6 – LEED NC Gold Certified
• Midpoint Logistics – LEED v4 CS Certified
• The Cooper – LEED NC Gold Certified
• 618 Main – LEED NC Silver Certified
• 70 West Madison – LEED EBOM Gold Certified
• Pullman Community Center – LEED NC v.2009 Certified
• Presidents Plaza – LEED EBOM Gold Certified
• William Blair NYC – LEED Siver
• One South Wacker – LEED EBOM Gold Certified

ComEd Utility Incentives
Over the course of 2019, Cyclone Energy Group assisted various clients in earning a combined total of over $400,000 in ComEd incentives.

Existing Building Services
We provide a full-spectrum of services for existing buildings including Retro-Commissioning (RCx), benchmarking, certification program and regulatory compliance documentation, delivery of utility program incentives, Monitoring-Based Commissioning (MBCx), and capital improvement project planning and owner’s representation.
Through our RCx service, we improve the operating efficiency and occupant comfort of existing buildings. Whether issues originated in design, construction or developed during the building’s life, we identify opportunities for operational changes that improve performance and extend its asset value.
The following buildings achieved annual savings through utilizing our retro-commissioning service in 2019:

• Monroe Building reached 130% of it’s original targeted savings
• 70 West Madison reached 100% of it’s original targeted savings
• Gleacher Center reached 90% of it’s original targeted savings
• 500 West Monroe reached 79% of it’s original targeted savings

Retrofit Chicago Energy Challenge
The Retrofit Chicago Energy Challenge is a voluntary program designed to accelerate energy efficiency in the City’s largest private and non-profit buildings to save money, increase asset value, drive economic development, and reduce emissions.

All Retrofit Chicago Energy Challenge participants agree to:

• Reduce energy use by at least 20% within five years of joining the program. The baseline for the 20% reduction target can be up to 2 years prior to joining the program.
• Track and share energy efficiency progress through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
• Serve as an ambassador to other buildings interested in saving energy

Currently, the Retrofit Chicago Energy Challenge includes 100 building participants spanning more than 56 million square feet.
In 2019, two of our projects, 625 N Michigan and 70 W Madison each achieved 20% energy return over 5 years.

energyPLAN
energyPLAN is the premiere service we offer for continually optimizing building performance. This service is an annual subscription program that actively transforms operating expenses into savings over the life of the building. We partner with operations staff as a trusted energy advisor who provides guidance, identifying potential issues and finding solutions. The program is based on a three-phase cycle consisting of planning, implementation and reporting.

By the end of 2019, the energyPLAN portfolio increased to 11 buildings totaling over 10.1 million gross square feet. By year end the program had saved 38,900,943 kBtu, an equivalent of 8,061 metric tons, and helped clients save over $750,000 in energy costs.

Energy Modeling
Energy Modeling uses sophisticated software to create a virtual model to estimate the energy performance of a building. Models can be used to evaluate comparative design scenarios or used to demonstrate certification program or regulatory compliance. Models can also be used in support of research initiatives or consulting studies.
Last year our building analyst team studied projects that earned Green Globes, ENERGY STAR and LEED Certified Silver and Gold projects.

Commissioning
Commissioning (Cx) is the process of verifying that designated systems within a newly-constructed building achieve the owner’s project performance requirements and/or achieve certification program and regulatory compliance. The scope of commissioning can include mechanical, electrical, plumbing, mission critical and life-safety equipment and controls as well as physical components such as the exterior envelope and renewable energy systems.

In the past year, some of our notable projects include two of the tallest all-residential buildings in the world: One Bennett Park and NEMA Chicago.

Professional Achievements
Our team is our greatest asset and we strive to provide an environment for professional and personal growth through knowledge sharing events, industry involvement and team building activities. Knowledge sharing takes many forms at Cyclone Energy Group, both internal and external. We encourage participation in many types of activities for our employees. Our team members continually strive to grow and push themselves to individual excellence including the following in 2019:

• Cyclone Energy Group added 5 employees to the team
• Sumayyah Theron and Karl Walsh achieved Green Globes Professional certification
• Allen Mei achieved his Professional Engineering (P.E.) in California and Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP) certification from ASHRAE
• David Lippe achieved LUMA Institute Human Centered Design certification
• Emmy Riley received the ComEd “RCxpress Project of the Year” for the most savings achieved on project, 340 On The Park
• Vinit Gala, Aaron Kachler and Kelly Majewski passed their Fundamentals of Engineering (F.E.) exams

Innovation Rodeo
Each August, we host a knowledge sharing event called the Innovation Rodeo where we explore relevant themes from the perspective of building owners, designers and operators. We invite distinguished industry innovators and members of our team to present and/or take part in discussions that explore current innovative technologies, designs and policies that will impact future cities, building and indoor environments.

In 2019, we hosted our 4th Annual Innovation Rodeo and explored the theme ‘Changing Landscapes: Building Performance, Construction Evolution and Financing’. To view all of the presentations from this event, you can visit our YouTube channel. While you’re there you can view previous years’ presentations as well. You’ll want to save the date for this years 5th Annual Innovation Rodeo on August 6, 2020. Registration for the event is currently open, click here to secure your spot.

Cyclone Day of Service

We are committed to create meaningful change in our community through corporate volunteer initiatives. To that end, each year we host a Cyclone Day of Service in which our team volunteers at a local non-profit. In 2019 we chose to support The Night Ministry (TNM), a Chicago-based organization whose mission is to provide housing, health care and human connection to members of the community struggling with poverty or homelessness. TNM serves everyone without concern for race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. For our service project we assembled hygiene kits that were donated to the organization to be passed out by the Night Ministry’s Health Outreach Bus, as well as The Crib which is their overnight emergency shelter.

How Can We Help You?

Whether you’re proposing new construction or optimizing an existing building Cyclone Energy Group has the right people, skills, and experience to support your building goals. Contact us now to learn how we can elevate your property to the next level of performance. We look forward to working with you in the new year and helping you reach the potential of  “Your buildings, only better.”

workwithus@cyclone.energy
www.cyclone.energy
312-945-8443