Carper, Coons, Carney announce $1 million for the University of Delaware to help train next generation of energy efficient experts

WILMINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Representative John Carney (all D-Del) today announced a total of $1 million in Department of Energy (DOE) funding to help train undergraduate-and graduate-level engineering students at the University of Delaware in manufacturing efficiency. This award puts these students one step closer to becoming the nation’s next generation of industrial energy efficiency experts.

“This grant from the Department of Energy will allow University of Delaware students to apply what they have learned in the classroom about energy efficiency to assist real manufacturing businesses,” said Senator Carper. “This funding will not only allow the students to gain real world expertise in their field, but also provide savings to the manufacturers they assist. That’s what I call a win-win for businesses and Delaware’s next generation of engineers.”

“As a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, I am thrilled that this extremely important program has been extended, and I’m excited by the notion that we are continuing to train part of the next generation of industrial energy efficiency experts right here in Delaware,” Senator Coons said. “Delaware has a strong grounding in clean energy manufacturing. We can enhance that by promoting clean energy management opportunities to local manufacturing companies while providing job skills and experience to energy-savvy students. I‘ve seen the work of the students in this program, and I look forward to following their work as they continue to play an important role in making companies more energy efficient.”

“A great way to increase production of American-made goods is by teaching young people about engineering and energy efficiency in the manufacturing industry,” said Congressman Carney. “This grant will help prepare Delaware’s workforce for the 21st century while enabling our state’s companies to improve production, streamline management, and develop relationships with quality talent.”

The University of Delaware is one of 24 universities in 23 states across the country to receive the award. Each school will receive $200,000 to $300,000 per year for up to five years to help university teams to gain practical training on core energy management concepts through DOE’s Industrial Assessment Center program.

The Industrial Assessment Center provides local manufacturing plants with energy audits and suggestions to reduce energy use and save money. Through the Industrial Assessment Center program, engineering students will have the opportunity to conduct energy assessments in a broad range of manufacturing facilities. Students will receive extensive training in industrial processes, energy assessment procedures and energy management principles. Under the program, each Industrial Assessment Center will be expected to train at least 10 to 15 students per year, conduct approximately 20 energy assessments annually, and perform extensive follow-up reporting, tracking, implementation, and management-improvement activities.

###