About the ERC

The Energy Resources Center (ERC) is an interdisciplinary public service, research, and special projects organization dedicated to improving energy efficiency and the environment. Based out of the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), the ERC was established in 1973 by the Board of Trustees as an approved Illinois Board of Higher Education center. The ERC’s stated mandate is to conduct studies in the fields of energy and the environment and to provide industry, utilities, government agencies and the public with assistance, information, and advice on new technologies, public policy, and professional development training.

Fast Track Response
The ERC is not a traditional university academic unit. The Center was created as a "fast response" team of experts capable of quickly extending technical expertise, advice, and professional assistance to organizations in need of the Center’s resources. As one of the nation’s land-grant universities, this activity meets the University of Illinois’ mandate to provide public service and assistance to the state’s industrial, residential and commercial sectors.

Technical Specialists
To carry out these objectives the ERC is staffed by a group of hands-on professional engineers, economists, architects, computer science specialists, educators, and public policy analysts. Senior staff have advanced degrees in their fields of expertise and many hold certification as Professional Engineers (PE), Professional Architects (PA) and Certified Energy Managers (CEM). When other specialized skills are required, ERC draws upon the UIC faculty for support. Center staff members have collaborated with members of academic departments and administrative units including the College of Engineering, the College of Education, the School of Public Health, the departments of Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Geography, Mechanical Engineering, Physical Plant, Chicago Area Geographic Information Survey (CAGIS), and the Survey Research Laboratory.