SEU Partners With UD's Industrial Assessment Center To Benefit Delaware Non-Profits

Non-profits Find Big Savings in the Sustainable Energy Utility/
University of Delaware IAC Partnership

www.energizedelaware.org

DOVER, DE – The Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility recently partnered with the University of Delaware’s award-winning Industrial Assessment Center to finance energy assessments for non-residential buildings in Delaware. Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) are national programs funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to assist large industries in reducing energy usage and costs. The University of Delaware houses the Mid-Atlantic IAC.

Focusing mainly on non-profits, the efforts of the SEU/UD partnership has already begun to pay off. The first two assessments (for The Modern Maturity Center in Dover and for Kent-Sussex Industries in Milford) provided recommendations that could save tens of thousands of dollars by making their buildings more energy efficient. The SEU and IAC are also conducting assessments with The People’s Settlement House and Claymont Renaissance Development Corporation.

“The team was professional and thorough. They provided actionable recommendations that could save us up to $14K annually. Every dollar we save goes directly to helping us fulfill our mission of providing employment for people with disabilities.”
- Craig Crouch, Chief Executive Officer, Kent-Sussex Industries, Inc.

“We were very impressed with the audit process. Their recommendations ranged from the simple installation of motion activated light switches to building a solar system to heat our pool. Once we’ve completed our cost/benefit analysis we will move forward with many of these changes. The money we save will go directly to funding our programs to serve the needs of all senior citizens in Kent County.”
- Carolyn Fredricks, President/CEO, Modern Maturity Center of Dover

Through SEU support, the IAC can now service nearly every kind of non-residential building in Delaware. The program also provides hands-on experience to UD science and engineering students by exposing them to real life assessing.

“The mission of the IAC dovetails perfectly with that of the SEU by extending our expertise to commercial and light industries. By targeting non-profits, we’ve been able to provide real-time actionable recommendations – many of which can be implemented immediately – including cost-benefit analysis.  Our group educates facility personnel about energy savings to get their buy-in for the recommendations we make. Typically, a one day energy audit can save an organization with annual utility costs of between $70 - $250 thousand as much as 20%. Smaller and larger facilities are also being helped.  The program also provides hands-on experience for our graduate and undergraduate students as they study to become energy professionals. It’s a win-win all around.”
- Dr. Keith Goosen, IAC Director, University of Delaware

 “With private and corporate donations on the decline due to the slow economy, our Board of Directors wanted to target non-profits. Our program will give them a monetary leg up in the realization of their missions while at the same time fulfilling the mission of the SEU. It’s a win-win for everyone, especially for the elderly and those with disabilities who depend on these organizations.”
- Tony DePrima, Executive Director, Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility

Delaware's Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) is a unique nonprofit organization created by the State of Delaware to foster a sustainable energy future for the state. The SEU’s EnergizeDelaware programs are committed to helping Delaware residents, businesses and non-profits save energy and money by increasing the energy efficiency of their facilities.

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