Chicago Lakeside Grants Building Efficiency Award to MeterGenius

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The Chicago Lakeside Development, a joint venture of McCaffery Interests and U.S. Steel Corporation, presented the Northwestern University student-led team, MeterGenius, with the second annual McCaffery-Lakeside Award.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) April 23, 2014

The Chicago Lakeside Development, a joint venture of McCaffery Interests and U.S. Steel Corporation, presented the Northwestern University student-led team, MeterGenius, with the second annual McCaffery-Lakeside Award. Presented at the fourth annual Clean Energy Challenge in Chicago, the award is targeted toward leadership in building efficiency innovation and commercialization. The award comes in the form of a $25,000 grant to be used by MeterGenius to enable further research, application and execution of their go-to-market strategy.

Sixteen finalist teams assembled in Chicago at the Clean Energy Challenge to present their ideas to a diverse panel of venture capitalists, energy executives and technology experts for significant funding opportunities. Previous Challenge finalists have raised more than $30 million in funding, hired dozens of employees and deployed clean-tech pilot projects across the Midwest.

"These entrepreneurs have invented devices to change the way we create and use energy, services that lower utility bills and streamline the energy sector and new technologies for biofuels, microgrids and energy storage," said Clean Energy Trust chief executive officer, Amy Francetic. "These prizes will help entrepreneurs to move their technologies out of the laboratory and into the marketplace."

MeterGenius is a free consumer website that gives homeowners with smart meters tools and incentives to manage their electric use. Users can track electricity consumption at any level they choose from macro to granular statistics, set goals, measure their progress compare themselves to neighbors and earn points that can be redeemed for bill credits.

“The objective of this award is to identify viable solutions that complement the Chicago Lakeside vision for clean, sustainable sources of energy, water and waste,” said Ed Woodbury, President of McCaffery Interests. “MeterGenius offers a solution that can integrate within Lakeside and the surrounding community. They provide residents with actionable information that can be used to save energy, reduce energy bills promote sustainable lifestyle choices.”

“MeterGenius gives homeowners with smart meters the ability to track their electricity consumption,” according to co-founder Ty Benefiel, currently a graduate student at the Kellogg School of Management. “As users become more energy efficient, they earn points that can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards or credits on their bill.”

The fourth annual Clean Energy Challenge is hosted by the Clean Energy Trust, a Chicago-based public-private partnership created to accelerate the development of Midwest clean energy businesses by connecting entrepreneurs, researchers and early stage companies with the expertise and capital needed to become sustainable. In total, the Clean Energy Challenge awarded $450,000 in awards to student-led and early stage startup ventures to fund further research in several exciting energy technologies. Clean Energy Trust is also a member of the Chicago Lakeside Development consulting team. “We are proud of our relationship with CET and sponsorship of the McCaffery-Lakeside Prize. These two collaborations demonstrate Lakeside’s commitment to developing the most advanced, sustainable neighborhood in Chicago”, said Ed Woodbury, President of McCaffery Interests.

About Chicago Lakeside Development:
Chicago Lakeside Development is a joint venture between U.S. Steel Corporation and McCaffery Interests, Inc. Chicago Lakeside Development is a global initiative for innovative living, with a strong focus on sustainable land development and community involvement. The development itself is a master-planned, nearly 600-acre mixed-use community located on the former U.S. Steel South Works site on the southeast lakefront in Chicago. The master plan is designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM) in conjunction with Sasaki Associates and Antunovich Associates. Working closely with Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, Chicago Lakeside will be one of the largest public-private partnerships in the history of the city upon completion. With both public and private support, Chicago Lakeside is poised to revolutionize urban living in the 21st century. For more information, please visit http://www.chicagolakesidedevelopment.com or follow the project on Facebook.

About McCaffery Interests, Inc.:
McCaffery Interests, Inc., is a privately owned, full-service commercial real estate company that has been in the business of investing, developing, leasing and managing real estate for more than 20 years. The McCaffery Interests portfolio of planned, completed and managed projects exceeds 20 million square feet and includes office, mixed-use, hotel, and residential properties, as well as large, master-planned communities and land developments. With offices in Chicago, IL and Washington, DC, and controlled assets and completed developments across the country, McCaffery Interests is one of the most trusted real estate companies in the nation. For more information, please visit http://www.mccafferyinterests.com or call (312) 944-3777.

About Clean Energy Trust:
Clean Energy Trust was founded by prominent civic and business leaders to accelerate the pace of clean energy innovations in the Midwest region. CET offers business development support to clean energy start-ups. Sector experts provide feedback, expertise, and develop strategies for the best path to commercialization and market growth. The most promising technologies are eligible for financial assistance in the form of grants, loans, and equity. The Clean Energy Trust leverages its strategic relationships to support the broader mission of education and advocacy related to the adoption and advancement of clean energy technology.

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