DOE Selects 26 Universities to Operate Industrial Assessment Centers

July 24, 2006

DOE announced on July 24th the selection of 26 universities in 23 states that will negotiate for awards to set up and operate regional Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC). The centers will assist small- and medium-sized manufacturing plants in the United States to make energy efficiency improvements, minimize waste and prevent pollution, and improve productivity. DOE's Industrial Technologies Program defines small- and medium-sized manufacturers as having annual energy costs between $100,000 and $2.5 million.

The IAC program also provides experience and training for the student engineers who work with faculty to conduct the assessments. Universities were chosen based on the merits of their applications submitted in response to the funding opportunity announcement. Funding for the IACs over the next two years could be up to $6 million. See the DOE press release and the DOE Industrial Technologies Program's BestPractices Web site.