Tennessee Tech University Industrial Assessment Center

05/05/2026

We are thrilled to congratulate Md Akter Hossain Bablu on winning an award at Tennessee Tech's 21st Annual Research and Creative Inquiry Day for his poster "Predictive Photovoltaic-Battery Dispatch Model for Microgrid Demand Management".

Peak demand charges can make up 30-50% of a commercial facility's electric bill. Solar PV helps, but it can't always prevent costly spikes. Bablu's work shows that pairing a 600 kWh Battery Energy Storage System with a smart Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm that looks ahead and plans dispatch in real time can make a difference.

This is exactly the kind of practical, impactful research that reflects ITAC's mission helping U.S. manufacturers cut energy costs and operate more efficiently. Bablu conducts this research under the mentorship of Dr. Ethan Languri at the Thermal and Energy Systems Laboratory (TESLab) at Tennessee Tech.

04/23/2026

Tennessee Tech's AEE organization is looking forward to hosting Mr. John Daniel with TRC Companies who will be giving an expert talk on "Career Pathways in Energy Engineering: Skills, Roles, and Opportunities" on April 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. (CT) in Prescott 225. This event is open to students and professionals.

04/21/2026

Did you know that manufacturing accounts for one quarter of total U.S. energy consumption? As we recognize and celebrate Earth Day today, we encourage manufacturers to take meaningful action to invest in energy efficient practices, processes, and technologies to preserve our shared home.

Tennessee’s ITAC, comprised of Tennessee Tech University and the University of Memphis, has saved over 15 TBtu of energy and nearly 1 million metric tons of CO2 emissions through the implementation of our energy assessments’ recommendations. This is equivalent to one year of energy use for 134,297 homes or 233,255 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year!

The services provided by the Industrial Training & Assessment Centers can help identify and implement opportunities to improve industrial energy efficiency and save money on the bottom line. We invite manufacturers interested in environmental stewardship, long-term resilience, and responsible growth to contact us for more information!

04/13/2026

Congratulations to Md Akter Hossain Bablu, Graduate Research Assistant with ITAC, on receiving the Master of Science Best Paper Award (2025-2026) by the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, as part of the College of Engineering at Tennessee Technological University Eminence Awards!

This award recognizes outstanding research contributions demonstrating excellence in innovation, technical depth, and real-world impact. Bablu's research, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Ethan Languri (pictured) and Dr. Mohsen Pourfallah, focuses on advanced thermal management of lithium-ion batteries, with an emphasis on enhancing cooling performance through bio-inspired design.

12/17/2025

Tennessee Tech’s ITAC team was recently awarded funding from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) to help select Tennessee counties enhance their communities through energy efficiency audits of county-owned buildings. These commercial audits are a necessary first step for the counties applying for funding to upgrade their building systems and reduce utility costs. ITAC faculty and staff Ethan Languri, Mazen Hussein, Patrick Swiecichowski, and Michelle Davis will be working with the following counties on this exciting opportunity: Bledsoe, Cocke, Grundy, Hardeman, Haywood, Lake, Perry, and Scott.

10/07/2025

We are excited to welcome Dr. Hiyam Farhat to the Tennessee Tech ITAC as our Assistant Director!

Dr. Farhat is a Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering, where she teaches courses in thermal sciences, materials and processes, and turbomachinery. She brings over 22 years of engineering experience, including 15 years in industry and more than 7 years in academia. Throughout her career, she has developed extensive expertise in turbomachinery and digital twin modeling, manufacturing processes, nondestructive testing, energy systems, gas turbine operations, maintenance and repair, as well as advanced superalloy materials and failure investigations. Her work reflects a unique blend of industrial leadership and academic innovation, dedicated to advancing engineering practice while preparing the next generation of engineers.

10/01/2025

We are excited to welcome Dr. Mazen Hussein as ITAC Associated Faculty! Mazen joined the Department of General and Industrial Engineering at Tennessee Tech University in Spring 2021. He teaches graduate courses in the Master of Science in Engineering Management program, as well as undergraduate courses ranging from freshman to senior levels across various engineering disciplines. Before joining TTU, he served as an Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering at the University of Wisconsin - Platteville.

Mazen will be joining the team at commercial and industrial energy assessments, searching for energy-saving measures. Welcome, Mazen! Wings Up!

03/28/2025

In February 2025, the TN Tech ITAC traveled to the east coast to support DEW HVAC Training Services Center with training and assessment at the Victaulic facility in Leland, NC. The TN Tech ITAC team enjoyed collaborating with the DEW-HVAC team and the plant personnel. The primary goal of this initiative was to conserve energy and reduce costs for the manufacturing plant while training our current workforce in energy assessments within the HVAC field. The team identified several cost-saving opportunities in the areas of HVAC, compressed air systems, noble gas use reduction, and more!

02/28/2025

Join us March 5 from 10-11 CST as Dr. Ethan Languri leads a discussion on Industrial Energy Conservation for Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries.

Tennessee Sustainable Spirits (“Sustainable Spirits”) is a voluntary recognition and technical assistance program administered by TDEC’s Office of Sustainable Practices (OSP) which seeks to reduce operational costs and environmental impacts for wineries and wine growers, breweries, and distilleries as well as serve as a gateway to sustainability education through popular brands.

Register for the webinar:

Tennessee Sustainable Spirits Resources Office of Sustainable Practices home Tennessee is home to world class whiskey, wine, beer, and other fine spirits. The craft spirit producer’s connection to people, land, and resources is a relationship in which sustainability plays a vital role. The Tenness...