No-Cost Industrial Energy Audits for Small- and Medium-Sized Manufacturers
In collaboration with Clark University and Southface – a non-profit founded in 1978 that focuses on, among other things, sustainability and energy-efficient buildings – the Kennesaw Industrial Training and Assessment Center (ITAC) offers no-cost (free) industrial assessments and ASHRAE Level Energy Audits to eligible small- and medium-sized manufacturers across Georgia. Utilizing funding from the federal Department of Energy, these assessments are performed by teams of Kennesaw State faculty and engineering students and are designed to identify actionable opportunities for cost savings, energy efficiency improvements, and waste reduction.
The table below summarizes energy efficiency outcomes from 35 industrial energy audits conducted by the ITAC team (as of 2024). The overall recommendations create potential energy efficiency savings averaging $50,917, representing 5.1% of the manufacturers’ annual energy costs.
| Industry Sector | Number of Manufacturers Visited | Identified Possible Annual Energy Efficiency Cost Savings | % of Manufacturers’ Annual Energy Cost |
|
Carpets and Flooring |
7 |
$ 65,770 |
5.0% |
| Textiles and Apparel |
5 |
$ 33,705 |
6.3% |
| Chemicals and Plastics |
9 |
$ 53,129 |
4.6% |
|
Food and Beverage |
3 |
$ 75,409 |
6.4% |
| Metal Fabrication |
5 |
$ 20,630 |
7.7% |
| Automotive and Auto Parts |
5 |
$ 58,943 |
4.5% |
Please note that the requirement of annual utility bills between $100,000 and $3.5 million applies on a per-meter basis. Also, the requirement to be within 150 miles of Kennesaw State can be met at either campus location – the Kennesaw Campus on Chastain Road or the Marietta Campus on Marietta Parkway.
Please direct any inquiries to Dr. Amin Esmaeili, the Director of Kennesaw State’s Industrial Training and Assessment Center, at 470-578-2315 or aesmaei3@kennesaw.edu.
