skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Thermal storage system flops at Illinois State office building

Journal Article · · Energy User News; (United States)
OSTI ID:6186809

A thermal storage and electric resistive heating system in the new State of Illinois building in Chicago has used about 65% more electricity in its first year of operation than building designers originally predicted, according to state government sources. The state proposes to spend about $2 million to fine tune the system this year. Total first year electricity usage for the all-electric, 1.15 million square foot building was expected to be 18.7 million kilowatt hours (kWh). But according to recent energy bills, actual usage for the first year of operation, ending in December, was 31 million kWh, a usage overrun that has cost the state of Illinois an extra $500,000. Some industry sources blame the thermal storage system and the electric heat system, which were untried when proposed in 1980, for much of the overrun, while others blame the building design.

OSTI ID:
6186809
Journal Information:
Energy User News; (United States), Vol. 11:5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English