UofL selected for Department of Energy’s Industrial Assessment Center program to help local manufacturers improve energy efficiency

The UofL Industrial Assessment Center is up and running

The University of Louisville’s J.B, Speed School of Engineering was selected as one of 32 universities to participate in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Industrial Assessment Center program to help local manufacturers improve their energy efficiency. The grant funds the University of Louisville Industrial Assessment Center (ULIAC) for Manufacturing Technical Assistance and Energy Engineering Workforce Development. The DOE investment will aid in the transition to a clean energy economy, building the next-generation energy workforce, and propelling America toward a carbon-free future by 2050.

The UofL project team is lead by Dean of Speed School of Engineering Emmanuel Collins; Principal Investigator (PI) Mark McKinley, Civil & Environmental Engineering Professor; Co-PI and Chemical Engineering Professor Mahendra Sunkara; Ed Tackett, Director, Engineering Solutions & Industry Relations; and Lissa McCracken, Executive Director of Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center (KPPC).

KPPC’s role in the ULIAC

The ULIAC became operational as of January 2022 and has already conducted multiple faculty and student led no-cost assessments for small to medium-sized manufacturing facilities (SMEs) that meet the eligibility requirements and additional assessments have been scheduled for the spring semester.

The ULIAC is utilizing the knowledge and experience of the Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center with conducting on-sight assessments. “A primary role for KPPC is to incorporate IAC standards for assessment procedures, lead assessment efforts, recruitment and supervision of co-op students, and recruitment of new industry members,” said Lissa McCracken, Executive Director of KPPC.

KPPC technical staff oversee the training and development of SSoE engineering students selected to participate in on-sight ULIAC energy assessments of regional SMEs. KPPC will also leverage its outreach capabilities to connect our past, present and future qualifying clients to this valuable no-cost service.

Read more about the DOE IAC process and the impact that the program has.

Visit the ULIAC website for more information about who is eligible and to inquire about a ULIAC assessment for your manufacturing facility.

Source: UofL selected for Department of Energy’s Industrial Assessment Center program to help local manufacturers improve energy efficiency (KPPC News, Feb. 28, 2022)