Lexington Pumping Station

Reliability, environmental stewardship, and the advancement of green technology were the key goals for the innovative application of solar technology and new construction of a standby generating system at the Chicago Department of Water Management’s (Department) Lexington Pumping Station.   

Constructed at the largest water pumping station in Illinois, the unique Lexington project set a benchmark for sustainable design in the industry. Achieving a Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Certification, the 1-megawatt (MW) direct current photovoltaic (PV) and standby generating systems demonstrate Greeley and Hansen’s forward-thinking applications of advanced technologies to collectively achieve the Department’s proactive goals and provide sustainable solutions for the future. 

The use of renewable energy, combined with a number of other energy-efficient design techniques, make this project noteworthy. By reducing the newly constructed facilities’ carbon footprint and providing significant economic benefits through sustainable design features, these facilities provide exemplary building performance, resulting in an energy cost savings of 53 percent over the minimum cost savings outlined by LEED® standards. The buildings’ process energy cost is also well below the LEED® required standards, making this project highly energy efficient. The construction elements used to achieve the LEED® Gold status were selected to prevent construction pollution, protect and restore the site, and utilize recycled and low-emitting materials. Other elements of the design for LEED® Certification consisted of stormwater control, high efficiency water usage, improved indoor air quality, and energy performance optimization. 

Through the use of sustainable design and construction, the project successfully reduced the facilities’ carbon footprint, demonstrated leadership in green technology, and increased the reliability of pumping operations to supply water.  

Project Highlights: 

• The team developed a landmark sustainable and cost-effective solution. 
• The project reduced the carbon footprint. 
• Project innovations included a low-emission standby generating system.
• Renewable site-generated energy achieved significant energy cost savings.