Syracuse University was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to be among 32 universities to help local manufacturers improve their energy efficiency, as part of a $60 million investment. The DOE and its largest-ever cohort of university-based Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) will assist small- and medium-sized manufacturers in reducing their carbon emissions and lowering energy costs, while training the next generation of energy-efficiency workers.
Syracuse University was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to be among 32 universities to help local manufacturers improve their energy efficiency, as part of a $60 million investment.
The investment will help remove barriers to decarbonization across the manufacturing sector and advance the goal of achieving a clean energy economy.
“America’s best and brightest university students are successfully helping local manufacturers reduce pollution, save energy, and cut their electricity bills,” says Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “DOE’s university-based Industrial Assessment Centers are assisting small- and medium-sized businesses—particularly those in disadvantaged and underrepresented communities—in the transition to a clean energy economy, building the next-generation energy workforce, and propelling America toward a carbon-free future by 2050.”
This new cohort of IACs at 32 universities will focus on improving productivity, enhancing cybersecurity, promoting resiliency planning, and providing trainings to entities located in disadvantaged communities. The cohort will also engage in a new pilot project to expand to the commercial building market. As part of the pilot, selected IACs will partner with community colleges and technical programs to train diverse students and professionals to conduct energy-efficiency assessments of small to medium-sized buildings, including those located in disadvantaged communities.
To date, the IACs program, one of DOE’s longest-running programs managed by the Advanced Manufacturing Office, has provided nearly 20,000 no-cost assessments for small- and medium-sized manufacturers and more than 147,000 recommendations for improvement measures. Assessments typically identify more than $130,000 in potential annual savings opportunities.
At Syracuse University, there are 10 to 15 students involved at a time and the team conducts 20 assessments each year, says Jackie Anderson, assistant teaching professor and engineering management graduate program director, in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science.
“I am looking forward to working alongside our students to make an environmental impact by helping improve energy efficiency at manufacturing facilities across the state,” Anderson says.
