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What Your Museum Does
Power Usage
Most methods of creating electricity or heating our homes use fuel that is non-renewable—that means we cannot make more when we run out of it. Plus, burning fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and petroleum creates air pollution that is changing our climate and harming biodiversity.
To combat these problems, The Field Museum is exploring new ways to conserve energy and generate power using clean, ever-present sources of energy like the sun or the wind.
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 Solar Power
Did you know that The Field Museum has the largest array of solar panels in the State of Illinois, and one of the largest in the Midwest? Solar panels (called photovoltaic cells) harness the power of the sun to produce a renewable, pollution-free source of energy.
Our solar array currently generates 100 kilowatts per day—the amount of electricity used by twenty average homes. In the future, we hope to install even more panels; perhaps enough to supply at least 8% of our energy needs.
The City of Chicago’s Department of Environment is leading the solar initiative by funding solar installations like the one on our roof.
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ComEd Curtailment System
The Field Museum currently participates in one of Commonwealth Edison’s curtailment programs. We cut back on our power usage during peak periods (like sweltering summer days) in exchange for lower rates on our electric bill. When large companies participate in these curtailment programs, it reduces stress on the electric grid, which means fewer blackouts in Chicago.
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Variable Speed Drives
Often people think they’re saving money by not buying new appliances and tools. Unfortunately, many old models gobble power and actually cost you more on your electric bill.
To avoid this problem, the Field Museum has implemented a policy of recycling old equipment and purchasing new equipment with variable speed drives. Variable speed drives allow motors to operate at a wide range of speeds, depending on power needs required for a particular task. The results? Energy efficiency can be increased by as much 50 percent!
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Introduction | Investigate Biodiversity | YBC | Meet the Scientist | Explore Global Diversity | Events and Programs | Take Action! | Teaching Biodiversity | Biodiversity Exhibition | Credits
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