The Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) Program advances a clean energy and manufacturing workforce that represents the diversity of America, and a reinvigorated manufacturing base prepared to lead the global clean energy transition. The program supports:

  • Energy assessments
  • Facility energy and smart manufacturing improvements
  • Workforce development, recruitment, and training

We deploy programs and resources for small- to medium-sized manufacturers, universities and career institutions, and workers and students seeking hiring and training opportunities. Learn more below. 


Small- to Medium-Sized Manufacturers

IAC ASSESSMENTS

Small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) may be eligible to receive a no-cost energy assessment provided by more than 50 Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) around the country. IAC assessments are in-depth evaluations of a facility conducted by engineering faculty with upper class and graduate students from a participating university. After a remote survey of the plant, the team conducts a one or two-day site visit to take engineering measurements. The team performs a detailed process analysis to generate specific recommendations with estimates of costs, performance, and payback times. Within 60 days, the plant receives a confidential report detailing the analysis, findings, and recommendations. In six to nine months, the IAC team calls the plant manager to verify what recommendations have been implemented.

Manufacturers can contact the closest IAC location about receiving an IAC assessment if they meet eligibility criteria. 

IAC IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

The IAC Implementation Grant Program is supporting SMMs in implementing recommendations from IAC assessments, DOE Onsite Energy/Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Partnership (CHP TAP) assessments and other third-party assessors qualified as “IAC-equivalent”‍ by DOE. Grant awards are up to $300,000 per manufacturer (covering one or multiple projects), at a 50% cost share (i.e., if a project costs $50,000, an implementation grant can cover up to $25,000). Other federal funds cannot count toward the applicant’s share. The grant program operates on a rolling basis. Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year as funds are available and will be reviewed quarterly.

Learn more about the IAC Implementation Grant program – including FAQs – and to apply.
 

IAC DATABASE

Find energy-saving ideas for your company by searching recommendations from completed plant assessments. The IAC Database is a collection of data from over 19,000 publicly available IAC assessments along with recommended energy-saving projects. Search by type of facility assessed (size, industry, energy usage, products, location), resulting recommendations (description, energy savings, implementation costs, and payback), and performing IAC.  The database can be downloaded.

Search the database for recommendations from completed IAC assessments to discover energy efficiency opportunities.

Educational and Career Institutions

REGIONAL CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE (FOUR YEAR INSTITUTIONS)

Regional IAC Centers of Excellence (COEs) have been established among existing IACs to connect and amplify the enormous impact of the IACs network. As COEs, five institutions and their partners are helping to coordinate and enhance the IAC Program’s efforts to train regional clean energy workforce while identifying best practices and opportunities for small- and medium-sized manufacturers to save energy, improve productivity, and reduce waste.

Learn about the Regional IAC Centers of Excellence


INDUSTRIAL ASSESSMENT CENTERS (FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS)

Located at 37 universities around the country, IACs train the next-generation of energy savvy engineers, more than 60 percent of which pursue energy-related careers upon graduation. Teams conduct the energy assessments to identify opportunities to improve productivity and competitiveness, reduce waste, and save energy. IACs typically identify more than $130,000 in potential annual savings opportunities for every manufacturer assessed, nearly $50,000 of which is implemented during the first year following the assessment. Over 20,000 IAC assessments have been conducted since 1976.

Learn more about the IACs network.


INDUSTRIAL ASSESSMENT CENTERS (COMMUNITY COLLEGES, UNION TRAINING PROGRAMS, TRADE SCHOOLS)

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provides for the establishment of new industrial training and assessment centers at community colleges, union training programs, and trade schools as part of the broader IAC network. The new Centers are building upon the success of the applied learning environment and hands-on training approach of the four-year IACs, while expanding the types of institutions and training programs covered by the program. They will also broaden paths to clean energy careers that don’t require a four-year degree.

Learn more about the 17 new Industrial Training and Assessment Centers.  
 

Students and Workers

LOCATE THE NEAREST UNIVERSITY-BASED IAC

Each year, over 700 upper class and graduate engineering students at IACs receive hands-on assessment training at operating industrial facilities and gain substantiative experience performing evaluations of industrial processes and energy systems. Alumni report the training sets them apart in the job market, as employers seek out IAC graduates. IAC students graduate with the skills and abilities to conduct energy, waste, and productivity assessments; use instrumentation and diagnostic equipment; work safely in an industrial environment; and communicate successfully through written reports and presentations to clients. These skills—that can only be gained through real-world experience—make graduates highly attractive to employers.

Contact the IAC at your school about opportunities to get involved.
 

LOCATE A COMMUNITY COLLEGE, LABOR UNION-AFFILIATED TRAINING PROGRAMS, TRADE SCHOOL, OR APPRENTICESHIP IAC. 

Interested in quickly joining the clean energy and manufacturing workforce? Each center provides access to an array of training opportunities in areas such as HVAC, Welding, Machining, Mechatronics, and others, as well as opportunities for hands-on learning at manufacturing sites. In as little as a few months to two years, you can be certified, skilled and ready for a high-quality, high-impact career. 

Contact a local IAC in your state and get trained today!
 

IAC ONLINE JOB BOARD

Job and internship opportunities are advertised to IAC students and graduates through the IAC online job board. Employers can submit a new job listing by emailing jobs@iac.university.
 

WOMEN FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY (WE2)

The Women for Energy Efficiency network is a student mentorship organization within the IACs. WE2 strives to enhance women’s experience in the IAC program by creating a comfortable, inviting environment to share their work experiences, build a network of mentorship, provide opportunity for leadership development, and to facilitate the exchange of ideas with other bright-minded individuals in the Energy Industry. The WE2 Network is open to all regardless of gender. 

If you have any interest in becoming a mentor, please visit the WE2 website.

APPLY

Contact the closest IAC location about receiving an IAC assessment.

CONTACTS

John Smegal
Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) Coordinator
Phone: (202) 287-6225

Michael Muller
IAC Technical Field Manager
Phone: (732) 445-5540

DATABASE

Search recommendations from completed IAC assessments.

Industrial Assessment Center Logo

EMPLOYERS

Job and internship opportunities can be advertised to IAC students and graduates through the IAC online job board.

INDUSTRIAL ASSESSMENT CENTER UPDATE, Winter 2022

TOOLS

ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES