IACs offer no-cost energy and water use efficiency and waste reduction recommendations to small- and medium-sized regional manufacturers and train the next generation of energy engineering professionals. The members of this largest-ever cohort of IACs will focus on improving productivity, decarbonization, enhancing cybersecurity, promoting resiliency planning and providing training to entities located in disadvantaged communities.

The funding allows for the creation of the UofL Industrial Assessment Center for Manufacturing Technical Assistance and Energy Engineering Workforce Development at UofL’s . A focus of the UofL IAC will be to train graduate and undergraduate students in providing energy and water use reduction assessments. The IAC training will leverage the newly created master’s degree in materials and energy science and engineering at the Speed School to provide these students with advanced training in state-of-the-art energy systems and applications. The center also will address industry engagement and energy efficiency research within the , according to Mark McGinley, civil and environmental engineering professor at UofL and principal investigator on the project.

“We want to educate students in this process, to teach them to conduct these assessments using best practices and offer more students with these skillsets to support industry over a long period of time,” McGinley said. “We have structured the IAC center to identify recurring industry needs and facilitate development of technologies to address these needs.”

The UofL project team also includes Mahendra Sunkara, co-principal investigator and director of the Conn Center, who will coordinate research and development of educational programming; Ed Tackett, director of engineering solutions and industry relations, who will manage community college interactions and industrial relations; Lissa McCracken, executive director of the , who will manage assessment staff and industrial outreach; and Emmanuel Collins, dean of the Speed School, who will manage recruitment of industrial entities and students from underrepresented groups and communities.

“I’m thrilled that the Department of Energy has chosen to invest in the University of Louisville and its students, selecting it as one of the newest sites for an Industrial Assessment Center,” said U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth. “The IAC program provides an immense value to students and businesses alike, harnessing the talent of our brightest minds to tackle the energy, environmental and economic challenges of tomorrow. I’m so proud to support this effort and to know that Louisville will play such an important role in continuing to build the clean energy economy of the future.”  

Since its inception, the IAC program has provided nearly 20,000 no-cost assessments for small and medium sized manufacturers and more than 147,000 recommendations for improvement measures. IACs typically identify more than $130,000 in potential annual savings for each manufacturer, nearly $50,000 of which is implemented during the first year following the assessment.

The team also includes members from the American University of Sharjah, Higher Colleges of Technology and American University in Dubai, all located in the United Arab Emirates.

Team “Desert Phoenix” will compete with 14 other teams from around the world to design, build and operate sustainable models of solar-powered homes, with a focus on protecting the environment, taking into consideration the climate and culture of the region. 

These homes will be assembled at the SDME competition site in Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. The multidisciplinary teams compete in 10 different categories, ranging from best architecture and engineering to energy production for heating and cooling, while gaining invaluable real-world experience in a growing global industry.

Organized by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, crown prince of Dubai and chairman of Dubai Executive Council, SDME is the largest solar decathlon competition for international universities. Its goal is to involve youth in sustainable development processes and encourage them to use their creativity to develop solutions that support global efforts to reduce the negative impacts of climate change.

“Conn Center’s intention is to forge partnerships with many other institutions and inspire students to address the global energy challenge,” said Mahendra Sunkara, director of the of the at UofL.

The team hopes to develop and introduce low-cost housing solutions with very low energy bills for low-income urban and rural living. Their design seeks to provide cost-effective, zero-net energy residential space with a low environmental and actual footprint to improve the affordability of these spaces, especially in the current world economy.

Each of the four universities will focus on a specific area in the project. Team members at UofL are focusing on the building structure, building envelope and energy conservation. AUS is focused on smart solutions and water management, AUD on architectural design of the house and HCT on civil engineering, especially water conservation.

“This multinational effort allows us to explore varied technologies and design philosophies to address common problems, with significant potential for improvement in performance and acceptance in all our countries,” said W. M. McGinley, professor of civil engineering at , who will lead the UofL team group, along with Sunkara.

“World-class competitions such as this are of immense benefit to students as they enable them to implement theories learned in classes in a highly practical and experiential environment, by way of innovative and cutting-edge designs and concepts, which will help to solve global housing issues,” said Tariq Khan, assistant professor in mechanical engineering and team leader at HCT. “Our eco-friendly house will be the best blend of architecture, reflecting local heritage and innovative engineering excellence with a focus on sustainability.”

The project also provides an opportunity to engage the community in support of the project.

“Each of the universities will reach out to the various institutions in the community according to their area of expertise to support the project, whether through technical expertise, funding or equipment. We aim to strengthen our community engagement and give back to society. The project will not only positively impact the community but will also increase the country’s energy security and make it less dependent on fossil fuel,” said Mostafa Shaaban, associate professor in electrical engineering and AUS project team leader.

The for Solar Decathlon Middle East along with more information about the competition is available on the .