Great Plains Center of Excellence | Oklahoma State University

The Future of Clean Energy Starts NowThe Great Plains Center of Excellence (GPCoE) will serve as one of the five key regional hubs for the Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) program of the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) of US Department of Energy, appropriated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

Develop, deploy, and test the next generation of integrated tools and new technologies smartphone apps, virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR), and drones), and practices to enhance performance, increase energy efficiency, and reduce industrial emissions in the small- and medium-sized manufacturing sector.

Support inclusive workforce development efforts to strengthen America’s competitive advantage in the clean energy economy. Produce competent, motivated energy engineers through a combination of classroom/VR/AR experiences, mentoring, and on-the-job training.

Provide resources and expertise to complement these objectives that directly support the National Clearinghouse's needs, equitably develop the clean energy workforce, and form significant collaboration focused on improving our region’s industrial competitiveness.

13 states, one vision

Build a collaborative center where all can participate, contribute, and prosper

The regions of the Great Plains Center of Excellence are strategically positioned to make an impact on the community in the following ways:

Support the expansion of existing assessment practices and development of new tools.
Coordinate efforts with national and regional stakeholders.
Support the development of materials and resources for the National Clearinghouse.
Coordinate regional outreach activities.
Mentor all the IAC directors, staff, and students regionally.
Develop and train on new methods of delivering IAC assessments.
Support student-focused activities.
Forge new relationships and articulation agreements.
Support regional and national inclusive clean-energy workforce development activities.

Enhancing and expanding

the Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) program with five new Regional Centers of Excellence

IACs can identify more than $130,000 in potential annual saving opportunities for small and medium size manufacturing facilities. For more than four decades, the IAC program has conducted over 20,000 assessments. The creation of the Great Plains Center of Excellence is primed to see an impact for our region and the world.

students in Industrial Assessment Center

Partners contributing total cost-share of $2,931,337

Northern Oklahoma University, Great Plains Institute, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Wichita State University IAC, University of Nebraska IAC (NIAC), OSU App Center, ENTEGRITY, OSU Research Foundation, OSU IT - School of Information and Creative Technologies, Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), Oklahoma Association of Energy Engineers (AEEOK), HydroTex Lubrication University, South-Central Partnerships for Energy Efficiency as a Resources (SPEER), Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA), Ewbank Geo Testing (EGT), ABS Group Consulting Inc. (ABSG), Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), Trifecta Communications, Guernsey, Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (OAIRE), Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Technical Assistance Program, Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, Oklahoma Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (OK-LSAMP) Program, OSU IT - Workforce and Economic development (WFED), Central Rural Electric Cooperative (CREC), Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Lighting Inc., US DOE Central-Midwest Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Partnership (CHP TAP), Center for Educational Research and Evaluation (CERE), University of North Texas IAC, Texas A&M University IAC, University of Missouri-Columbia IAC, Colorado School of Mines IAC, Northern Oklahoma College (NOC), Tulsa Community College (TCC), Meridian Technology Center, Hamm Institute of American Energy, New Mexico State University (NMSU)