The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is uniquely positioned to advance academic research while building meaningful business partnerships, thanks to the campus’s Industrial Training and Assessment Center (WM-ITAC).

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) amid the 1970s energy crisis, ITACs were established to support small and medium-sized manufacturers through no-cost technical assessments focused on energy, productivity and waste. Today, there are 37 ITACs nationwide, with UWM’s center operating as Wisconsin’s primary location.

WM-ITAC opened in the 1990s. The center has supported over 600 companies over the last three decades; most located within a 150-mile radius. These companies span a wide range of industries, including paper, plastic, aluminum, engines and more.

“Everybody is getting some kind of benefit from our assessment because we can look at all kinds of directions of the power,” said WM-ITAC Director Dr. Ryo Amano, mechanical engineering professor in the College of Engineering & Applied Science.

Companies utilizing WM-ITAC’s services engage with the center’s highly skilled team of mechanical engineering Ph.D. candidates who are also Certified Energy Managers (CEM). The WM-ITAC team works alongside an annual average of 20 companies. During the assessment process, a participating company can expect WM-ITAC team members to conduct a facility tour, perform an energy utility analysis and deliver a detailed report highlighting potential savings and implementation costs.

To date, participants have seen an annual average of $150,000 in recommended savings and an average implementation rate of 40%.

However, a partnership with WM-ITAC extends far beyond cost savings. Companies gain access to talented students who bring practical skills and experience. Participants also receive training on the DOE’s free energy assessment software and are encouraged to apply for DOE implementation grants.

From an academic perspective, WM-ITAC enables UWM to increase its research level. Since 2012, WM-ITAC has trained 96 students, certified 45 engineers and published 99 academic papers. Findings from WM-ITAC energy assessments are published in prestigious scientific journals on topics including energy efficiency, smart manufacturing and wastewater treatment, strengthening UWM’s visibility and leadership in the energy space.

According to Dr. Amano, exciting things are ahead.

“Our center is focused on increasing energy savings and expanding training opportunities for schools and colleges. We deliver comprehensive training programs to support their efforts,” he said.

Presently, UWM supports nine community colleges throughout the Midwest through its expansion program that was launched three years ago. The goal is for each college to become an independent ITAC.

Dr. Amano also shared the center’s focus on Building Training and Assessment Centers, an initiative designed to improve building energy performance.

To learn more about WM-ITAC, visit: https://sites.uwm.edu/ceas-iac/