UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science recently recognized We Energies with a Partner of the Year award for the energy company’s role in in the success of the Industrial Assessment Center. More than $6.5 million in energy and operational savings were recommended to more than 70 manufacturing companies participating in energy audits over the last four years.
Chairman and CEO of We Energies Gale Klappa (’72, Mass Communications) helped lead the company’s effort and accepted the award from Chancellor Mark Mone.
The college’s Assessment Center – one of 24 Department of Energy-funded sites in the nation – helps small- and mid-sized manufacturers save millions of dollars annually by providing free audits and detailed recommendations of ways to reduce energy consumption and associated costs.
“On average, the savings that we recommend can reduce a plant’s total utility bill by 15 percent,” said Chris Yuan, associate professor of mechanical engineering who heads the center.
We Energies has referred many small- and mid-size Wisconsin manufacturing plants to the center.
