The Industrial Assessment Center
What we do:
Intelligent energy use is more than just good for the environment. It also improves productivity and saves money and jobs, making it good for the bottom line.
Unfortunately, most small and mid-sized manufacturers lack the time, money and in-house expertise to assess and implement many energy-efficient technologies which assist in pollution reduction while reducing costs.
That's why since 1978 the Department of Energy's Office of Industrial Technologies has sponsored a program to conduct no-charge energy assessments. These assessments are conducted at manufacturers' sites across the country by teams of engineering
faculty and top students - an approach that also gives "hands-on" experience and training to tomorrow's engineers.
University centers initially operate as Energy Analysis and Diagnostic Centers (EADCs), conducting energy assessments only. After two year's experience and training, the centers become Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs), qualified to conduct
productivity and waste reduction analyses as well. IAC assesssments uncover opportunities to improve performance and profits - and significantly decrease negative environmental impacts.
A remarkable record of success:
By the close of 1994, EADCs and IACs had conducted more than 5,000 assessments and participating manufactures had cumulatively saved 94 trillion British Thermal Units (Btus) of Energy. The result of this energy consumption? A decrease in emissions of
harmful greenhouse gases by 200,000 metric tons of carbon equivalent. The return on investment is excellent: to date the government has spent $27 million on the program and saved industry more than $500 million.
By implementing a high percentage of IAC recommendations, plants in 43 states and from all industrial manufacturing sectors have significantly improved their operations. At the same time, these manufacturers have supported the national goals of
reducing the threat of global climate change, retaining skilled jobs and increasing U.S. manufacturing competitiveness in the global market.
What we can offer you?
The IAC assessment offers objective information to help you make your employees and processes more productive and energy efficient. Participating faculty and students are technology-neutral. For a period of two years after an assessment, the faculty of
the IACs are not allowed to consult for pay with the companies they advise.
Client Qualifications
How Do I Sign Up?
Staff
Main
The Industrial Assessment Center
University of Maine
Orono, Maine, 04469
(207) 581-2329
Program Director: Scott Dunning (scott@eece.eece.maine.edu)