EFFICIENCY HUNTERS 18
STUDENTS ARE ON THE QUEST TO FIND WEAK SPOTS IN ENERGY PERFORMANCE
Sharon Henry Debbie Morales
The United States’ manufacturing sector is massive – accounting for 12% of the nation’s economy, employing nearly 13 million people (8% of the workforce) and generating 57% of U.S. exports. It also consumes about one-third of all energy produced in the U.S. – a high cost financially as well as environmentally. Industries are facing increasing pressure to make their processes more sustainable but aren’t always aware of potential ways to improve energy efficiency.
CALIT2’s newly launched Sustainable Manufacturing Alliance for Research and Training Industrial Assessment Center (SMART IAC) program aims to help local manufacturers reduce their carbon emissions and cut energy costs by offering no-cost, energy-efficiency assessments. In addition, the SMART IAC will address the growing shortage of engineering professionals with energy and manufacturing-related skills by training students through hands-on participation in these assessments, says G.P. Li, SMART IAC co-director and CALIT2 director. Last September, UCI was selected as one of 32 universities nationwide to become a U.S. Department of Energy Industrial Assessment Center. IACs provide small- and medium-sized manufacturers with assessments and recommendations on energy efficiency, productivity Interface | SPRING 2022
