US Department of Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is a federal agency responsible for advancing the nation's energy and national security goals. Its primary mission is to promote scientific and technological innovation in energy production, conservation, and security. The DOE conducts research and development in areas such as nuclear energy, renewable energy sources, and energy efficiency. It also oversees the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile and works to ensure the safe and secure use of nuclear materials. Furthermore, the DOE plays a key role in addressing environmental and sustainability challenges by supporting efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote clean energy technologies. Additionally, it manages various energy-related programs and initiatives, collaborates with industry and academic institutions, and sets energy efficiency standards to enhance the country's economic competitiveness and energy resilience.
Advanced Manufacturing Office
The mission of the DOE Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains is to enhance and safeguard the manufacturing and energy supply networks crucial for modernizing the nation's energy infrastructure and facilitating an equitable shift to clean energy.
This involves targeted investments to establish domestic clean energy supply chains and manufacturing capacities, along with collaborative engagement with private companies, federal agencies, and stakeholders to gather, analyze, and disseminate data about energy supply chains.
The office also oversees initiatives aimed at nurturing clean manufacturing and workforce capabilities within the country, particularly focusing on empowering smaller businesses and communities involved in the energy transition.
Industrial Assessment Centers
The USDOE Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) can help small and medium sized US manufacturers save energy, improve productivity, and reduce waste by providing no-cost technical assessments conducted by university based teams of engineering students and faculty.
After the site visit, the IAC team provides a comprehensive report with specific details on all opportunities for improving competitiveness identified during the assessment, including applicable rebates and incentives.
Restart Program
The Lawrence Technological Institute RESTART program leverages retired professionals to provide complimentary energy waste reduction and sustainability services to Michigan's manufacturing and commercial sectors, facilitating their transition to a low-carbon future.
Their primary goal is to achieve significant cost savings for clients in relation to program expenditures through practical on-site technical support. This involves deploying advanced energy and sustainability tools to enhance energy efficiency, lower consumption, promote sustainable manufacturing practices, and reduce operational costs.
Small Manufacturers Retooling
EGLE is offering matching grants to accelerate the implementation of energy efficiency for small manufacturers, through the Retooling Program. This program will help fund manufacturing process improvements that reduce energy use and cost per unit produced. As the MI Healthy Climate Plan recognizes, Michigan's industrial sector represents one of the state's greatest strengths, not only economically, but also on the path to decarbonization. Michigan has the 5th largest advanced manufacturing workforce in the country, with more than 65,000 workers employed in that sector in 2019. The Retooling Program is designed to help small Michigan manufacturers take advantage of opportunities to both strengthen the resiliency of their businesses and decarbonize our economy, to mitigate the worst outcomes of climate change.
Better Buildings Diagnostic Tools
The US Department of Energy Better Buildings initiative offers tools for facilities to borrow in order to collect data to aid in ongoing energy efficiency projects. Applications can be submitted on the Better Buildings website under Diagnostic Equipment Application.
Better Plants
The Better Plants program works with leading U.S. manufacturers and wastewater treatment agencies to set ambitious energy, water, waste, and carbon reduction goals and commit to reducing energy intensity by 25% over a 10-year period across all U.S. operations. By partnering with industry, the Better Plants program aims to help leading manufacturers boost efficiency, increase resilience, strengthen economic competitiveness, and reduce their carbon footprint through improvements in energy efficiency.
Energy.gov Announcement
As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced up to $80 million in grant funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for small- and medium-sized manufacturing firms (SMMs) to accelerate the adoption of recommendations made by DOE to improve energy efficiency to lower costs and reduce industrial emissions.