Saving Energy and Reducing Costs at Small and Medium-sized US Manufacturers
The USDOE Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) can help small and medium sized US manufacturers save energy, improve productivity, and reduce waste by providing no-cost technical assessments conducted by university based teams of engineering students and faculty.
After the site visit, the IAC team provides a comprehensive report with specific details on all opportunities for improving competitiveness identified during the assessment, including applicable rebates and incentives.
The IAC program has already conducted over 20,624 assessments with more than 154,139 associated recommendations. Average recommended yearly savings is $138,421.
IAC Assessments cover ALL manufacturing sectors
| NAICS | Asmts | |
|---|---|---|
| 311 | Food Manufacturing | 1106 |
| 312 | Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | 252 |
| 313 | Textile Mills | 121 |
| 314 | Textile Product Mills | 66 |
| 315 | Apparel Manufacturing | 50 |
| 316 | Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing | 9 |
| 321 | Wood Product Manufacturing | 409 |
| 322 | Paper Manufacturing | 353 |
| 323 | Printing and Related Support Activities | 235 |
| 324 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 108 |
| NAICS | Asmts | |
|---|---|---|
| 322 | Paper Manufacturing | 353 |
| 323 | Printing and Related Support Activities | 235 |
| 324 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 108 |
| 325 | Chemical Manufacturing | 632 |
| 326 | Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 925 |
| 327 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 325 |
| 331 | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 509 |
| 332 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 1228 |
| 333 | Machinery Manufacturing | 746 |
| 334 | Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 336 |
| NAICS | Asmts | |
|---|---|---|
| 332 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 1228 |
| 333 | Machinery Manufacturing | 746 |
| 334 | Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 336 |
| 335 | Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | 246 |
| 336 | Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 775 |
| 337 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 214 |
| 339 | Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 301 |
IAC Program History
Industrial Assessment Centers (formerly called the Energy Analysis and Diagnostic Centers) were created by the Department of Commerce in 1976 in response to the oil embargo and rising energy costs. The program was specifically focused on helping small and medium-sized manufacturing facilities cut back on unnecessary costs from inefficient energy use.
The IAC program was moved to the Department of Energy just after it was formed in 1978 and was later expanded to include evaluations of ineffective production procedures, excess waste production, and other production-related problems. More recent additions to the IAC program scope include improving cybersecurity awareness, exploring smart manufacturing technologies, and implementing comprehensive energy management systems.
Currently the IAC program is administered through the Advanced Manufacturing Office under the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the Department of Energy.
IAC Program Awards
IAC Center of the Year Awards
| Awarded | Center | |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 |  |
University of Missouri-Columbia |
| 2021 |  |
West Virginia University |
| 2020 |  |
University of Utah |
| 2019 |  |
Indiana University-Purdue University |
| 2018 |  |
Tennessee Technological University |
Student Research Awards
| Awarded | Center/Research Title | |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 |  |
Lehigh University IAC: Solar Powered Membrane Distillation for Desalination Applications. |
| 2022 |  |
Mississippi State IAC: Impact Analysis on Implementation of Electric and Thermal Energy Storage Systems at Industrial and Commercial Facilities. |
| 2022 |  |
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee IAC: Photovoltaic Cover for Treatment Tanks in Wastewater Treatment Plants. |
| 2022 | |
Tennessee Technological University IAC: Field Validation Study of an In-house Developed Cooling Tower Efficiency Model. |
| 2022 |  |
University of Dayton IAC: Decarbonization and Energy-Saving Potential of Pure Oxygen Aeration for Wastewater Treatment Plant. |
| 2022 |  |
University of Nebraska–Lincoln IAC: Automated Fault Detection and Diagnostics (AFDD) for Packaged Rooftop Units Using Data-Driven Approach and Impact of Fault Elimination on Energy and Cost Savings. |
| 2022 |  |
Michigan State University IAC: Developing a Virtual Assessment Process for More Efficient Student Training and Post-Assessment Analysis. |
| 2022 |  |
University of California, Irvine IAC: Mixing Hydrogen with Natural Gas as an Alternative for Fuel Switching in Manufacturing for Decarbonization/Reducing GHG Emission. |
IAC Resources
The following guidelines are designed to describe the process of a typical IAC energy assessment.
View Assessment Protocol
These case studies highlight specific assessments with notable recommendations and implementation.
View All Case Studies
The IAC centers published multiple papers each years based on and inspired by IAC related activities.
View All Published Papers
Includes IAC program manuals, guidelines, and other related technical documents.
View All Technical Documents
| University | Since | |
|---|---|---|
 |
Arizona State University | 1990 |
 |
Case Western Reserve University | 2020 |
 |
Colorado School of Mines | 2021 |
 |
Colorado State University | 1984 |
 |
Georgia Institute of Technology | 1982 |
|
Indiana University-Purdue University | 2012 |
 |
Kennesaw State | 2021 |
|
Lehigh University | 2001 |
 |
Louisiana State University | 2017 |
 |
Louisiana Tech | 1984 |
|
Michigan State University | 2021 |
|
Mississippi State | 1994 |
 |
Oklahoma State University | 1982 |
| University | Since | |
|---|---|---|
 |
Oregon State University | 1987 |
 |
San Diego State University | 1991 |
 |
San Francisco State University | 1993 |
 |
San Jose State University | 2023 |
 |
Syracuse University | 2001 |
|
Tennessee Technological University | 2007 |
 |
Texas A&M, College Station | 1987 |
 |
University of Alabama | 2007 |
|
University of California, Irvine | 2021 |
 |
University of Connecticut | 2021 |
|
University of Dayton | 1981 |
 |
University of Delaware | 2007 |
 |
University of Florida | 1991 |
| University | Since | |
|---|---|---|
 |
University of Illinois, Chicago | 2001 |
 |
University of Louisville | 1994 |
 |
University of Massachusetts | 1984 |
 |
University of Miami | 2001 |
|
University of Missouri-Columbia | 2007 |
|
University of Nebraska–Lincoln | 2017 |
 |
University of North Carolina, Charlotte | 2021 |
 |
University of North Texas | 2023 |
 |
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | 2017 |
|
University of Utah | 2001 |
 |
University of Washington | 2007 |
|
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee | 2012 |
|
West Virginia University | 1993 |
| Center Code | University | Years of Operation |
|---|---|---|
| BS | Boise State University | 2012 - 2021 |
| BD | Bradley University | 1994 - 2017 |
| CL | Clemson University | 2017 - 2021 |
| HO | Hofstra Univ. | 1991 - 2000 |
| IA | Iowa State University | 1991 - 2017 |
| LM | Loyola Marymount University | 2001 - 2007 |
| AT | North Carolina A&T | 1985 - 1989 |
| NC | North Carolina State | 1993 - 2021 |
| ND | Notre Dame Univ. | 1991 - 2000 |
| OD | Old Dominion Univ. | 1994 - 2000 |
| PV | Prairie View, A&M | 1985 - 1985 |
| TP | Prairie View, A&M | 1999 - 2000 |
| DS | South Dakota State | 1994 - 2000 |
| ST | Stevens Institute of Technology | 1984 - 1986 |
| Center Code | University | Years of Operation |
|---|---|---|
| KG | Texas A&M, Kingsville | 1994 - 1997 |
| TS | Tri-Cities University | 1984 - 1986 |
| KU | Univ. of Kansas | 1981 - 2000 |
| AR | University of Arkansas | 1993 - 2000 |
| UK | University of Kentucky | 2012 - 2021 |
| LL | University of Louisiana, Lafayette | 2001 - 2012 |
| ME | University of Maine | 1993 - 2000 |
| UM | University of Michigan | 1994 - 2017 |
| MO | University of Missouri, Rolla | 1990 - 2000 |
| NV | University of Nevada | 1994 - 2000 |
| TN | University of Tennessee | 1982 - 2000 |
| TA | University of Texas, Arlington | 2001 - 2006 |
| WI | University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee | 1987 - 2006 |
IAC Database
A collection of all the publicly available assessment and recommendation data is available online in the Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) Database. This includes information on the type of facility assessed (size, industry, energy usage, etc.) and details of resulting recommendations (type, energy & dollars savings etc.).
As of 05-29-2023, the IAC database contains: The Database can be searched by:- Assessments: Industry Type, Size, Year, Energy Costs, Products
- Recommendations: Type, Savings, Cost, Implemented
- Industry Type: SIC and NAICS
A Recommendation Index is available for all assessment recommendation codes (ARC) and Recommendation Implementation Rates can be charted by center, years, or state.
Nationwide locations of assessments and recommendations can be mapped using the IAC Activity Map.
Top Ten lists of assessments and recommendations can be generated for specific criteria.
The IAC database is also available for download.