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Contents Undergraduate and Learning
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Industrial Assessment Center saves millions for manufacturers
Since the Industrial Assessment Center's inception in 1991, engineering students and faculty have helped their clients save more than $3 million in actual energy costs. Industrial assessment teams from Iowa State visit small- and medium-size manufacturers in Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota. The U.S. Department of Energy, one of the funding agencies for the program, requires the teams to find annual savings of at least $25,000 per client in the areas of energy efficiency, waste minimization, and productivity. Program Director Dick Rusk said clients reported to him that the teams were professional and thorough, found problem areas the clients themselves were not aware of, and implemented many recommendations. "This program is great for everyone involved," said Rusk. "One client told me he wished it had been available when he was in college. Students tell me this job is just great interview material because prospective employers love the fact that students have this experience." Stacy Robb, BSME'96, BSConE'96, raves about the program, which he took part in while a student. "It was about the best work experience you could get, next to a co-op. I'm a design engineer at the Waldinger Corporation in Wichita. This branch of the company specializes in the performance contracting market where we visit facilities, find energy-related projects, calculate savings for each project, guarantee those savings, and finance the project with those savings. My experience in the IAC allowed me to be an integral part of the performance contracting team for our company." Nearly 50 engineering students have participated in the program, making 1,242 recommendations which, if implemented, would have a projected annual savings totaling about $8 million. |
